Commuters on Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) can now simply tap their Visa or Mastercard debit, credit, or prepaid cards, use Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled mobile wallets such as Google Pay, or scan GCash QR to pay for their fares following the launch of the country’s first rail-based automated fare collection system that seamlessly integrates open-loop EMV card payments, mobile NFC, and QR payments in a single interoperable platform.
The initiative is powered by Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) in partnership with Visa, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr). It represents a major step in the government’s digital transformation agenda by modernizing public transportation through globally accepted, secure, and interoperable digital payments.
Designed to be bank-agnostic and future-ready, the system enables commuters to use payment instruments issued by any participating bank, electronic money issuer, or fintech provider, eliminating the need for a dedicated transit card while making commuting faster, more convenient, and more inclusive.
RCBC President and CEO Reggie Cariaso said the initiative underscores the Bank’s commitment to supporting the government’s vision of a digitally connected Philippines. “We are grateful for the trust and partnership of the DOTr and LRTA as we continue building accessible and future-ready digital ecosystems for Filipinos. Beyond banking, we see digital finance as an enabler of more connected, seamless, and efficient daily experiences,” Cariaso said.
To encourage adoption, RCBC is launching its PISO Fare Cashback Promo from July 13 to July 31, exclusively for millions of RCBC Debit and Credit Card holders and MySSS RCBC DiskarTech Debit Card holders, allowing them to enjoy fare cashback while experiencing the country’s newest interoperable cashless transit payment system.
Transportation authorities expect the new payment system to streamline fare collection and enhance the commuting experience for the more than 58.7 million passengers who use LRT-2 each year. The initiative also supports the government’s continuing efforts to modernize public transportation and accelerate the country’s transition toward a digital economy.
RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva said the launch demonstrates how digital payments can improve everyday life while bringing the Philippines closer to global transit standards. “This is a defining milestone in the modernization of Philippine public transportation. For the first time, commuters can seamlessly use their everyday bank cards, mobile NFC wallets, and QR payments in one interoperable transit ecosystem. By making commuting simpler, faster, and more inclusive, we are accelerating digital adoption, advancing financial inclusion, and bringing the Philippines closer to the digital transport systems found in leading global cities,” Villanueva said.
Visa Country Manager for the Philippines Jeffrey Navarro said the launch further strengthens the country’s digital transit ecosystem. “The LRT-2 automated fare collection system is Visa’s fifth transit project in the Philippines, following MRT-3 and bus systems in Cebu, Mandaue, and Bacolod. Through our partnership with RCBC and the Philippine government, we are helping expand access to secure and interoperable digital payments that improve commuter convenience, urban mobility, and economic productivity,” Navarro said.
Arniel Vincent Ong, President and CEO of RCBC Credit Cards, said the project reinforces the growing role of digital payments in everyday commerce. “As more Filipinos embrace cashless lifestyles, initiatives like this make digital payments even more practical for daily commuting. We are proud to help deliver secure, convenient, and interoperable payment solutions that benefit millions of commuters,” Ong said.
The LRT-2 implementation forms part of RCBC’s broader digital payments strategy, which includes innovations through RCBC Pulz, RCBC DiskarTech, and RCBC ATM Go, as well as partnerships with government agencies, global payment networks, and fintech players through ecosystem banking to accelerate financial inclusion and build a more connected digital economy.
