The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) have launched an interoperable automated fare collection system on Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), enabling passengers to pay fares using EMV debit, credit and prepaid cards, NFC-enabled mobile wallets, and GCash QR. The system has been implemented in partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and Visa, making LRT-2 the first rail line in the Philippines to integrate open-loop EMV card payments, mobile NFC and QR payments on a single fare collection platform.
The bank-agnostic system allows commuters to use payment instruments issued by participating banks, electronic money issuers and fintech providers without requiring a dedicated transit card. The interoperable platform is designed to support secure digital fare payments while improving boarding efficiency and passenger convenience. The launch is expected to enhance fare collection for the more than 58.7 million annual passengers using LRT-2. To promote adoption, RCBC has also introduced a PISO Fare Cashback campaign for eligible RCBC cardholders between July 13 and July 31, 2026.
The implementation forms part of the Philippine Government’s public transport digitalisation programme and supports the wider adoption of open-loop fare payment across the country’s transit network. It also expands Visa’s transit payment portfolio in the Philippines following earlier deployments on MRT-3 and public bus systems in Cebu, Mandaue and Bacolod