MRT recalls Erap cards

Hundreds of passengers at several stations of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) yesterday had to endure long queues as the electronic fare cards bearing the photo of ousted President Joseph Estrada were recalled by the Metro Rail Transit Authority.

The pullout had resulted in a shortage of e-cards, prompting MRT station tellers to issue special coupons sold for P10 each regardless of the distance of the trip, the Department of Transportation and Communications-Action Center said.

This reportedly translated to huge losses for the MRTA, but neither the DOTC nor the MRTA could give an estimate.

MRTA chief Assistant Secretary Roberto Lastimoso said they pulled out the Erap cards last Thursday night. By July 23, they would be receiving the delivery of 100,000 new cards .

"A total of 800,000 tickets would be delivered within 30 days," Lastimoso said.

The MRTA had been issuing the Erap cards since April due to a shortage of the official e-cards with President Arroyo’s picture.

Sources said Malacañang had reprimanded MRTA officials upon learning of the move and reportedly ordered an immediate recall.

MRTA spokesman Mariano Gui said that a formal bidding for the production of new e-cards will take place in September. Production cost of each card is about P10.

Each card has a life span of about six months due to the wear and tear.

Earlier, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Melquiades Robles said the LRT would not be issuing Erap cards.

Robles said the LRTA has about two million Erap cards, but will be replaced soon.