Visa Expands Transit Solutions in the Philippines: Partnering with Good Transport and GHL for Contactless Payments in Bacolod City

3:18 PM

Visa cards are now accepted on modern jeepneys in Bacolod City, providing a seamless transit experience and inclusive payment options for daily commuters and tourists in the Philippines.

This innovative initiative is set to enhance the way residents and visitors navigate the city.


A Partnership for Modern Transit Solutions

In collaboration with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI) and GHL, Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has introduced the use of Visa cards for payments on modern jeepneys. This marks Visa’s second transit project in the Philippines, following the successful launch in Cebu. The initiative was unveiled during the annual MassKara Festival, showcasing 45 modern jeepneys equipped with Visa payment terminals.


Passengers can now enjoy cashless transactions by simply tapping their Visa cards. Additionally, the modern jeepneys feature wraps promoting the EastWest Pay app, allowing users to link their EastWest Visa credit cards to Android smartphones for convenient tap-to-pay purchases.


Enhancing the Commuting Experience

Jeff Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, expressed excitement over the launch, stating, “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, as transit plays a crucial role in daily lives.”


A recent 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. With over 100 urban mobility projects across Asia Pacific, including cities like Bangkok and Sydney, Visa’s Bacolod project reinforces its commitment to enhancing transit services in the Philippines.


Supporting Tourism and Local Development

Bacolod City has experienced a 26% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals from January to December 2023, according to the Bacolod City Tourism Office. This growth is complemented by a PHP34.3-million project by the Department of Public Works and Highways to improve Hernaez (Libertad) Street, enhancing safety and accessibility.


Alywin “Mia” P. Tamayo, SVP & Head of Credit Cards Business at EastWest Bank, highlighted the benefits of the EastWest Pay app, stating it blends the advantages of a credit card with a mobile wallet, enhancing security with biometrics and tokenization.


Revolutionizing Payments in Public Transit

Brezhnev Tero, CEO of Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), emphasized the significance of this collaboration, saying, “The introduction of the EastWest Pay app will revolutionize how commuters pay for fares, ensuring a more modern and efficient travel experience.”


Jay Tirona, CEO of GHL Systems Philippines Inc., noted that this partnership demonstrates how technology and innovation in payments can drive positive change for the common good, improving the daily commute for Filipinos and tourists alike.


Promoting Financial Inclusion and Literacy

Navarro added that each transit project promotes financial inclusion by raising awareness and usage of digital payment methods. This initiative also enhances the infrastructure supporting these transactions, making it easier for passengers to adopt digital payments.


According to Visa’s 2023 Global Urban Mobility Study, 96% of Asia Pacific commuters expect contactless payment options in public transit, highlighting the demand for such innovations. Visa's extensive track record of over 1,000 transit projects worldwide supports sustainable mobility by partnering with transit agencies globally.


With the launch of this contactless payment system, Bacolod City is set to enhance its status as a premier tourist destination while improving the commuting experience for all.

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