LRT-2 commuters can now pay for their train rides using their bank cards, mobile wallets, or GCash, removing the need to buy or reload a separate transit card.
The new payment system, introduced by Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and Visa, accepts Visa and Mastercard debit, credit, and prepaid cards, NFC-enabled mobile wallets such as Google Pay, and GCash QR.
“Beyond banking, we see digital finance as an enabler of more connected, seamless, and efficient daily experiences,” said Reggie Cariaso, president and CEO, RCBC.
The system is considered to be the first in the country’s railway network to combine contactless bank cards, NFC mobile wallets, and QR payments into a single platform. Because it follows the global EMV payment standard, commuters can use eligible payment cards issued by participating banks and financial service providers instead of carrying a dedicated transit card.
The upgrade is expected to make daily commuting faster and more convenient for the more than 58.7 million passengers who use LRT-2 every year. It also supports the government’s efforts to modernize public transportation and encourage wider use of digital payments.
To encourage commuters to try the new payment option, RCBC is offering its PISO Fare Cashback Promo from July 13 to July 31. The promotion is open to RCBC debit and credit cardholders, as well as MySSS RCBC DiskarTech Debit Card holders.
“This is a defining milestone in the modernization of Philippine public transportation,” said Lito Villanueva, executive vice president and chief innovations and inclusion officer, RCBC. “For the first time, commuters can seamlessly use their everyday bank cards, mobile NFC wallets, and QR payments in one interoperable transit ecosystem.”
Villanueva also noted that by making commuting simpler, faster, and more inclusive, RCBC is accelerating digital adoption, advancing financial inclusion, and bringing the Philippines closer to the digital transport systems found in leading global cities.
“The LRT-2 automated fare collection system is Visa’s fifth transit project in the Philippines, following MRT-3 and bus systems in Cebu, Mandaue, and Bacolod,” said Jeffrey Navarro, country manager, Visa Philippines. “Through our partnership with RCBC and the Philippine government, we are helping expand access to secure and interoperable digital payments that improve commuter convenience, urban mobility, and economic productivity.”
The LRT-2 rollout is part of RCBC’s digital payments strategy, which also includes RCBC Pulz, RCBC DiskarTech, RCBC ATM Go, and partnerships with government agencies, global payment networks, and fintech companies to expand access to digital financial services.