MANILA – Commuters can now pay for MRT-3 rides using debit cards, credit cards, or QR codes, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Friday, touting the rollout as a major step in the country’s push for digitalization in public transport.

“Walang dagdag sa pasahe dito,” Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said during the launch at the MRT-3 Ayala Station, assuring riders that digital payments will cost the same as traditional single journey tickets.

The new system allows passengers to skip queues at ticket booths and tap their GCash QR code, NFC-enabled Android phones, or EMV-compliant debit and credit cards directly on the turnstiles. The project was launched in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Landbank, GCash, VISA, KentKart, and other public and private sector stakeholders.

Billed as the first of its kind globally, the setup integrates multiple payment modes—QR, NFC, EMV, and more—into a single terminal, unlike other cities that rely solely on transport cards or EMV systems.

“First of its kind ito sa whole world. Halos lahat ng payment modes puwede in one device,” Dizon said, adding that the move reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to make commuter travel more convenient through digital innovations.

Cashless payments will also be introduced at LRT-1 and LRT-2 in the coming months, with RCBC as partner bank.