Visa, a world leader in digital payments, is working with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), a transit mobility solutions provider and GHL, a leading nationwide payment service provider and payment acquirer to enable the use of Visa cards for payments on modern jeepneys in Cebu City and Mandaue City.
The initiative kicked off with an official launch ceremony at the Cebu IT Park Transport Terminal, with GTSI working in partnership with local transport operator Lahug Apas Transport Cooperative (LATRANSCO) and Mandaue Transport Cooperative (MTC) to launch 120 modern jeepneys in Cebu and 20 modern jeepneys in Mandaue City.
The onboard terminals in these vehicles now accept Visa payments.
The initiative, part of a pilot project, signifies Visa’s commitment to promoting transit acceptance in the Philippines with plans to expand to more modes of transit in coming years.
“We are thrilled to unveil Visa’s inaugural transit project in the Philippines. This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience for daily commuters and tourists in Mandaue City by offering a wider array of payment options,” said Jeff Navarro, Visa Philippines country manager.
“As tourism in the Philippines rebounds, we have observed a growth in inbound tourism and this partnership will make the transit experience more seamless for tourists. The future of transit, both globally and within the Philippines, is poised to create inclusivity through open-loop, contactless payment systems in public transit, and will be centered around providing commuters with seamless, convenient, and secure payment options,” he said.
Cebu experienced a 69-percent year-on-year increase in visitors in February 2024, welcoming 104,439 tourists, according to the Department of Tourism.
Meanwhile, Mandaue City, a popular tourist destination in Cebu, recorded 228,472 tourist arrivals between January and September 2022.
With such strong tourism growth, the ability to use Visa cards on public transit significantly enhances convenience, as travelers increasingly prefer secure, contactless digital payments.
Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study highlights the shift, revealing that 97 percent of Asia Pacific travelers plan to use card payments (credit, debit, or prepaid) on their trips, while only 17 percent intend to carry foreign currency (cash).
“We are proud to partner with Visa and GHL to bring the first-of-its-kind contactless payment solution to the Philippines’ transport sector through our Transport Mobility Solution, the Bus Revenue Tracker System,” GTSI chief executive Brezhnev Tero said.
“This groundbreaking collaboration not only revolutionizes fare collection with enhanced efficiency and security but also redefines the commuter experience. By leading the way in transport innovation, we are making every journey smoother, faster, and more convenient, setting a new standard for public transport in the country,” he said.
