DOTr, BSP, DICT, GCash accelerate digital transformation of PH transport system for faster, easier commutes

(L-R) GCash holding company Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon, Department of Transportation secretary Vince Dizon, and Department of Information and Communications Technology secretary Henry Aguda lead the launch of the new digital payment solutions at MRT-3

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and GCash are set to transform the commuting experience at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) with the launch of multiple digital-enabled payment solutions. The Philippines’ leading finance super app is bringing in a world-class technology that eliminates the need for commuters to queue and purchase physical single-journey tickets, in support of the new Philippine National Standard for Automated Fare Collection System of the DOTr.

​This initiative positions the Philippines in the same category as its Southeast Asian neighbors, such as Singapore, which have implemented open-loop ticketing systems in their public transportation networks. This ticketing system reduces friction for commuters, allowing them to use mobile wallets and cards to pay for their rides.

The pilot launch was led by DOTr secretary Vince Dizon, and witnessed by BSP monetary board member Walter C. Wassmer, BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan, DICT secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda, and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) president & CEO Lynette Ortiz. GCash, which will power up the secure, contactless digital transactions across the network, is represented by Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon (the holding company of GCash) and G-Xchange, Inc. president and CEO Ren-Ren Reyes (the mobile wallet operator of GCash).

The newly launched Automated Fare Collection System enables faster, easier journeys for MRT 3 passengers via a tap-in and tap-out method through multiple modes of payment: QR, mobile NFC, and debit/credit cards. All they have to do is open the GCash app, tap the Commute icon to generate a QR code, head to the turnstiles, and tap-in the QR to start their journey, then tap-out the QR to end their journey to pay for their fare. Commuters using android mobile phones, in addition, can pay for their ride using the Tap-to-Pay feature of GCash, which is a contactless payment powered by NFC technology. Those who have GCash cards and/or any Visa or Mastercard cards of other banks, including Landbank prepaid cards, can also directly tap them on select turnstiles as a form of ticket for their fares.

DOTr secretary Vince Dizon, during the launch, invited commuters to use the GCash payments at MRT-3 to experience the convenience of digital payments. "Now, finally we are here. This is just the beginning. We're working on this to equip all turnstile carousels with this option for various payment modes," Dizon said, adding the digital payment solutions will soon be available in Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 and other mass transport systems.

GCash holding company Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon tests the digital payment options powered by GCash at the MRT-3 Ayala station

Transportation secretary Vince Dizon taps his mobile phone to pay for MRT-3 fare during the pilot launch of the open-loop ticketing powered by world-class technology

"One of our core mandates is to make payments safer, secure, efficient, reliable, and more accessible to all. Today, those two goals come together. We're making it easier for people to pay for the transport that helps them move safely, securely, and efficiently," BSP monetary board member Walter C. Wassmer said.

To help ensure the success of this initiative, DICT secretary Henry Aguda said they have been working to enhance internet connectivity at MRT-3, allowing commuters to access the GCash app whenever.

"We need to acknowledge the collaboration with MRT-3. Nu’ng nagbigay ng signal si Sec. Vince, inayos namin ang wiring. Pati sa loob ng bagon, eventually, tinatrabaho na namin ‘yan," DICT secretary Aguda added.

(When Sec. Vince gave the signal, we fixed the wiring. Eventually, commuters will have free Wifi inside the trains.)

"Thank you very much for your partnership and for putting together a whole new government approach in so far as making sure that we have the infrastructure, the rails, and the acquired services to make sure that this works for the Filipino people," LandBank president Lynette Ortiz said.

To mark the landmark rollout, the officials walked through the GCash-powered turnstiles at the MRT-3 One Ayala Station to test the upgrade in commuter flow firsthand.

"We're so proud and excited to finally launch this service in partnership with the government. It has been a joy working with them because they act fast and are very progressive, and we've experienced it firsthand," said Martha Sazon, president & CEO of Mynt, the holding company of GCash.

“Before, people would line up as early as 4:30 am just to buy a ticket. I hope that with this project, we can help them make their commute faster and more convenient,” Sazon added.

This collaboration highlights a concerted effort of relevant government agencies to digitize public services, reduce friction, and increase accessibility — with private sector partners like GCash playing a key role in delivering practical, scalable solutions. With its vast user base and technical agility, GCash brings trusted innovation to frontline mobility through meaningful integration that benefits everyday commuters.

As the proof of concept rollout advances, DOTr and its partners will monitor commuter feedback, assess system improvements, and explore expansion across additional transit lines. The vision is clear: mobility, connectivity, and dignity should move together—leaving no Filipino behind.

Open the GCash app, tap the Commute button to learn more.

GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. Its mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only $5 billion unicorn in the Philippines.
 
GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.