Visa
launches second transit project in the Philippines, continues to collaborate
with Good Transport and GHL to enable contactless payments in Bacolod City
Visa cards are now accepted on modern jeepneys in Bacolod City,
offering a seamless transit experience and inclusive payment options for both
daily commuters and tourists in the Philippines
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has partnered with Good Transport
Solutions Inc. (GTSI), a transit mobility solutions provider, and GHL, a
leading nationwide payment service provider and payment acquirer, to enable the
use of Visa cards for payments on modern jeepneys in Bacolod City. This marks
Visa's second transit project in the Philippines, following its first transit project launch in Cebu.
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Some of the modern jeepneys that now accept Visa payments in Bacolod City. |
Today,
Visa unveiled this initiative during the annual MassKara Festival, together
with representatives from GTSI, GHL, and EastWest Bank, featuring 45 modern
jeepneys equipped with Visa payment terminals. Passengers can now enjoy
seamless, cashless transactions by tapping their Visa cards. The modern
jeepneys also feature bus wraps promoting the EastWest Pay app, allowing users
to link their EastWest Visa credit cards to Android smartphones for easy
tap-to-pay purchases.
Jeff
Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said: "We are thrilled to launch our second transit project
in Bacolod City. This initiative aims to enhance travel experiences for
commuters and tourists by providing more payment options. Visa is committed to
improving payments in transit services, especially with the crucial role that
transit plays in everyone’s daily lives. By enabling contactless payments, we
are establishing a seamless, cross-border travel experience with a unified
digital payment solution. This project aligns with Visa’s goal of fostering a
cashless, digitally empowered ecosystem and driving innovation in transit
solutions in the Philippines."
A YouGov survey commissioned
by Visa revealed that 67% of Filipinos are more
likely to obtain a contactless card if it can be used for transport[1]. Visa has
launched over 100 urban mobility projects across Asia Pacific, including cities
like Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney. The Bacolod City
project signifies Visa's commitment to enhancing transit services in the
Philippines, with plans to expand further.
Transit experience benefiting both Bacolod City residents and
tourists
Bacolod
City experienced a 26% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals from January to December 2023, according to the Bacolod
City Tourism Office[2].
Complementing this growth, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
completed a PHP34.3-million project to improve Hernaez (Libertad) Street, enhancing safety and
accessibility[3]. These
developments enhance safety and accessibility for residents and visitors,
reinforcing Bacolod City's status as a premier tourist destination.
Alywin “Mia” P. Tamayo, SVP & Head of Credit Cards Business, EastWest Bank, said: "EastWest Bank, in
partnership with Visa, is excited to promote the EastWest Pay app on Bacolod
City's modern jeepneys. Our app enables cashless and contactless transactions
with a simple smartphone tap, blending the benefits of a credit card and a mobile
wallet while enhancing security with biometrics and tokenization. We believe
our fintech innovations are essential for economic growth and improving
customer experience, particularly with this new transit project in Bacolod
City."
Brezhnev
Tero, CEO, Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), said: “We are
incredibly thankful to Visa, EastWest Bank, and GHL for their support in making
this vision a reality, not just in Bacolod City, but in all the regions where
we will be deploying our solution. The introduction of the EastWest Pay
app across our transport network will revolutionize the way commuters pay
for fares, ensuring a more modern and efficient travel experience. Our goal is
to enhance the overall user experience by providing simple, fast, and secure
payment options.”
Jay
Tirona, CEO, GHL Systems Philippines Inc, said: "Filipinos
deserve progress. This partnership shows how technology and innovation in
payments can deliver for the common good. With contactless payments in
jeepneys, we’re driving positive change that will improve the daily commute for
Filipinos and tourists alike. We are committed and happy to support and drive
these advancements in the public transit experience across the nation by
simplifying payments and making them more secure.”
"Each
transit project in the Philippines promotes financial inclusion by increasing
awareness and use of digital payment methods. Our efforts also enhance the
infrastructure supporting these transactions, making it easier for passengers
to adopt digital payments, regardless of their banking experience.
Additionally, this initiative boosts financial literacy, empowering unbanked
and underserved populations with secure and convenient payment solutions,"
added Navarro.
According
to Visa’s 2023 Global Urban Mobility Study, 96% of Asia Pacific commuters
expect contactless payment options in public transit, which simplifies fare payment and boosts public
transportation usage[4]. Visa's
strong track record of over 1,000 transit projects worldwide promotes
sustainable mobility by partnering with transit agencies globally.
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