Contactless payments are going mass transit in the Philippines, signaling a major step toward a cash-lite economy.
Officials said the tap-to-pay rollout on Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 with Apple Pay, Google Pay and NFC, is now targeted for the first quarter of 2026, possibly by mid-February.
“We have to make sure that the experience is seamless, because if we rush it, there could be hiccups,” said Villanueva, noting that an information campaign will help commuters get familiar with NFC, Google Pay, and other tap-to-pay options.
Moving away from paper tickets could also solve chronic issues like single-journey card shortages and turnstile congestion, which have driven up operating costs.
Tangonan said buses, especially the EDSA Carousel, were prioritized for deployment due to service readiness, with rail systems to follow.
Industry players see the entry of Apple Pay and the wider adoption of tap-to-pay as a game-changer for the country’s digital payments landscape, complementing banks and e-wallet providers working to expand contactless options nationwide.
“For now, the focus remains on scaling up merchant coverage, ensuring system reliability, and building user confidence, so that both commuters and consumers can adopt tap-to-pay as part of their daily routines.
