Visa, a world leader in digital payments, is collaborating with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), a transit mobility solutions provider, and GHL, a leading nationwide payment service provider and payment acquirer. This collaboration has enabled the use of Visa cards for payments on modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City, the second biggest city in Cebu.
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Visa cards can be used to pay on modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City, creating a seamless transit experience and inclusive acceptance for daily commuters and tourists in the Philippines
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The initiative kicked off today with an official launch ceremony at the Cebu IT Park Transport Terminal, with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI) working in partnership with local transport operators, Lahug Apas Transport Cooperative (LATRANSCO) and Mandaue Transport Cooperative (MTC), to launch 120 modern jeepneys in Cebu and 20 modern jeepneys in Mandaue City. The onboard terminals in these vehicles now accept Visa payments. This initiative, part of a pilot project, signifies Visa's commitment to promoting transit acceptance in the Philippines with plans to expand to more modes of transit in coming years.
Jeffrey Navarro Talking: Visa
Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro at the launch of Visa’s first
transit project in the Philippines. The pilot signifies Visa’s commitment
to promote transit acceptance in the country with plans to expand to more
modes of transit in the coming years.
Jeff Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said: "We are thrilled to unveil Visa's inaugural transit project in the Philippines. This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience for daily commuters and tourists in Mandaue City by offering a wider array of payment options. As tourism in the Philippines rebounds, we have observed a growth in inbound tourism and this partnership will make the transit experience more seamless for tourists. The future of transit, both globally and within the Philippines, is poised to create inclusivity through open-loop, contactless payment systems in public transit, and will be centered around providing commuters with seamless, convenient, and secure payment options.”
Visa Card on Contactless Machine: Visa cards can now be used in select Cebu City and Mandaue City
modern jeepneys, providing commuters with more seamless, convenient, and
secure payment options.
In February 2024, Cebu experienced a 69% year-on-year increase in visitors, welcoming 104,439 tourists, according to the Department of Tourism[1]. Meanwhile, Mandaue City, a popular tourist destination in Cebu, recorded 228,472 tourist arrivals between January and September 2022[2]. With such strong tourism growth, the ability to use Visa cards on public transit significantly enhances convenience, as travelers increasingly prefer secure, contactless digital payments. Visa's Global Travel Intentions Study highlights this shift, revealing that 97% of Asia Pacific travelers plan to use card payments (credit, debit, or prepaid) on their trips, while only 17% intend to carry foreign currency (cash)[3].
Brezhnev Tero, CEO, Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), said: “We are proud to partner with Visa and GHL to bring the first-of-its-kind contactless payment solution to the Philippines’ transport sector through our Transport Mobility Solution, the Bus Revenue Tracker System (BRTS). This groundbreaking collaboration not only revolutionizes fare collection with enhanced efficiency and security but also redefines the commuter experience. By leading the way in transport innovation, we are making every journey smoother, faster, and more convenient, setting a new standard for public transport in the country.”
Ceremonial Tapping: [L-R] Gary
Lauriano, BOD, Good Transport Solutions, Inc; Brezhnev Tero, CEO, Good
Transport Solutions, Inc; Randolph Ian Clet, DOTr Project Manager; MS.
Judy Dela Cruz Gabato, DOT 7 Chief Tourism Operations Officer; MR. Jeff
Navarro, Country Manager, Visa Philippines; Ceasar Michelena, Chairman,
Good Transport Solutions, Inc; Jay Tirona, CEO of GHL Systems Philippines
Inc., at the launch of Visa’s first transit project in the Philippines in
partnership with GTSI and GHL Systems Philippines. The project enables
contactless payments in 120 modern jeepneys in Cebu City and 20 in Mandaue
City.
Jay Tirona, CEO, GHL Systems Philippines Inc, said: “This partnership is an exciting example of how technology and digital innovation in payments can come together positively for the private and public sectors, and ultimately, for the benefit of Filipinos who ride these jeepneys every day. These efficiencies drive social and economic change and we need to start with a focused approach, which I believe will eventually and inevitably be adapted across public transport systems nationwide.”
Event: Visa Philippines,
together with its partners GTSI, GHL, and representatives from the local
government at the launch of Visa’s first transit project in the
Philippines that aims to simplify public transit payments by introducing a
contactless payment option on select modern jeepneys in Cebu City and
Mandaue City.
Faster and more seamless travel through a cashless, open-loop system
The rapid urbanization across Asia Pacific, with 120,000 people moving to cities daily, has underscored the need for efficient public transit systems. Governments, including the Philippines, are investing in these systems as part of their strategies to mitigate road congestion, with a focus on simplifying public transit payments and increasing digital payment options.
Visa’s Global Urban Mobility survey found that 58% of commuters favor a unified payment method for all transport modes, as currently half of them use four or more different methods each month[4]. Meanwhile, another Visa survey[5] showed that implementing open-loop, contactless payment systems in public transit agencies creates a faster, safer, and more hygienic payment experience. Such a system promotes inclusivity and accessibility in public transit, even for those without access to traditional banking services, with modern payment systems simplifying fare processes for transit agencies, reducing costs and mitigating financial risks.
“With Visa making access to payments more inclusive, we are glad to be moving the needle in embracing innovative systems such as the open-loop payment system which significantly enhances the commuting experience for all,” Navarro added. “This approach not only makes urban mobility more efficient and secure but ensures that everyone, especially those underserved by traditional banking services, has access to seamless and reliable public transportation.”
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[1] Department of Tourism, Feb 2024 Inbound Tourism Update. http://www.tourism.gov.ph/files/2024/tourism_demand/04/Inbound/04-08/February%202024%20arrivals%20(as%20of%2005%20Mar%202024).pdf
[2] “Cebu’s tourist arrivals reach 1.8M in 9 months”, December 2022. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/cebus-tourist-arrivals-reach-18m-in-9-months
[3] “Contactless payments, experiential travel top Asia Pacific travel needs”, November 2023. https://www.visa.com.sg/about-visa/blog/bdp/2023/11/27/contactless-payments-experiential-1701068432525.html
[4] “Choice, Convenience, Contactless: Future of Public Transit in Asia Pacific”, October 2023. https://www.visa.com.sg/about-visa/blog/bdp/2023/10/01/choice-convenience-contactless-1696130103907.html
[5] Visa Economic Empowerment Institute (VEEI) and ThoughtLab. “Reimagining ridership: Open-loop payments and the future of urban mobility”, 2023. https://usa.visa.com/content/dam/VCOM/regional/na/us/sites/documents/veei-reimagining-ridership.pdf
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