PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
DOTr offers free rides to passengers with cashless payment issues
MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MRT-3 will now provide a free single journey ticket (SJT) to passengers who experience issues with the new cashless payment system, according to an announcement on Monday, August 4.
The move comes as a solution to concerns from commuters who were being charged the maximum fare of ₱28 when they were unable to tap out at exit turnstiles due to system errors. The initiative is a direct response to the President’s directive to address these issues promptly during the pilot run of the cashless payment system, which accepts debit/credit cards, QR codes, and NFC-enabled mobile devices.
How to claim your free ticket
Affected passengers can claim a free, non-expiring SJT—equivalent to the maximum fare—to be used for their next ride. To get the free ticket, you must go to any MRT-3 ticket booth and present proof of the failed tap-out transaction.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon expressed his gratitude for the public’s support of the new system, while asking for patience during the pilot run. “We are grateful for the overwhelming support from our passengers for the cashless payments at the MRT,” he said. “We ask for a little understanding for some of the problems during this pilot run, but rest assured that within this August, we will add more cashless turnstiles and continue system upgrades to avoid issues.”
