LRT token-less fare starts today

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is eyeing an increase in revenue of the LRT with the implementation of its token-less fare collection system starting today.

Teodoro Cruz, LRTA administrator, said yesterday that they expect LRT to generate more income now that tokens have been replaced by automated magnetic swipe cards.

"This new fare collection system streamlines our operation... and helps enhance our revenue collection. It’s a project that brings us to the cutting edge of technology," he noted during its inauguration yesterday.

Cruz, however, did not say how much revenue the project will bring in for the LRT. He explained that the swipe cards are fool-proof compared to the tokens.

Dubbed "Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS)," the project is also expected to entice more commuters because swipe cards are more convenient to use than tokens.

There were reports last year that tokens were being smuggled out from the LRT. But an investigation into the anomaly was interrupted because of a change in the national leadership during People Power 2.

Cruz said that the probe was continued but the results were not yet available.

He also noted that, unlike tokens, swipe cards would be programmed through computers so the LRTA would be able to monitor them more effectively.

The fare of LRT remains at P12 for the entire stretch despite the new fare collection system.

But instead of tokens, LRT has acquired single-journey cards with P12 and P2 for the last three stations in both ends of the railway facility and stored-value cards worth P120, intended for multiple rides.

Some P419.869 million has been spent for the AFCS. But of this amount, P298.279 came from foreign loans.

According to Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez, the use of swipe cards is part of the government’s plan to interconnect LRT with other elevated railway projects like the Metro Rail Transit.

"This project is another milestone in our railways industry. It will help us provide better services to the public. AFCS revolutionizes the way LRT delivers services," Alvarez added.