Mastercard and AF Payments, Inc. (AFPI), the company behind Beep™ cards, have unveiled a strategic partnership to introduce contactless acceptance of Mastercard cards on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3 Line) and buses, marking a significant leap in the digitization of payments in the Philippines.

In alignment with the government’s push for accelerated payment digitization and the Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap outlined by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the ‘Mastercard-Beep EMV Contactless Acceptance in Transport Partnership’ aims to enhance contactless acceptance across the country. This initiative seeks to simplify the commuting experience, offering greater convenience to travellers who can now tap in and tap out using their Mastercard cards.

Powered by Mastercard’s cutting-edge payment technology, commuters will have the ability to use their prepaid, debit, or credit Mastercard cards for public transport, eliminating the need for separate tickets. The partnership envisions a pilot program that will be rolled out in phases across MRT stations, BGC, and EDSA buses. The collaboration is set to scale contactless payment acceptance across ferries and various transportation modes, eventually extending its reach nationwide. Dates for the pilot program rollout will be announced in phases later this year.

JJ Moreno, President and CEO of Beep emphasized the positive impact of the partnership on the commuting experience, stating, “This is expected to benefit millions of Filipino commuters in Metro Manila, enhancing smart mobility through initiatives that bring our transit systems in line with global transport standards. We are excited to collaborate with Mastercard to boost the acceptance of contactless payments in transport and further improve commuters’ payment experiences.”

Simon Calasanz, Country Manager, Philippines, Mastercard, shared insights into the collaboration’s significance, stating, “Mastercard’s mission is to power a digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere, by making payments safe, simple, smart, and accessible. This partnership with Beep will help enhance the commuting experience for all Mastercard cardholders. From reducing queues at peak hours to removing the need to carry multiple transit tickets or cash, cardholders will be able to use the same payment methods they already use for everyday spending. What’s more, it also supports the government’s goal of driving financial and digital inclusion—improving the delivery of public services through innovative payment technologies.”

Mastercard has a successful track record in enabling Open Loop Transit systems in major cities globally, including London, Sydney, and Singapore. The partnership with Beep in the Philippines aligns with Mastercard’s global mission to foster a digital economy accessible to all, bringing the benefits of contactless payments to the public transport sector, enhancing efficiency, and contributing to the government’s financial and digital inclusion goals.