MRT offers free tickets as errors hit cashless payments
Starting Aug. 4, passengers of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 who experience tap-out errors when using the cashless payment system, which is on a pilot run, will receive free train tickets.
“[We have] been closely monitoring concerns raised by MRT-3 riders, particularly cases where passengers were charged the maximum fare of P28 due to system issues when tapping out at exit turnstiles,” the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said in a statement on Monday.
“As a solution, affected passengers will be given non-expiring SJT (single journey tickets) equivalent to the maximum MRT fare, which they can use for their next ride,” it added.
The DOTr said that passengers may claim their free SJT by proceeding to any MRT 3 ticket booth and presenting proof of the failed tap-out transaction.
On July 25, the DOTr launched the new cashless payment system at the MRT 3, allowing passengers to pay for their fare via GCash or by tapping their debit or credit cards at the turnstiles. This also eliminated the need for them to line up at ticket booths or ticketing machines
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, meanwhile, thanked MRT 3 passengers for their patience and support for the light rail system’s pivot to cashless payments for train tickets.
“We’re just asking for a little more understanding over several problems during this pilot run but rest assured that within August, more cashless turnstiles will be added and system upgrades will continue to avoid disruptions,” Dizon said.
