Leveraging Technology for the Better

A technology that can solve these issues is near-field communication (NFC). NFC is a wireless technology that allows devices to exchange data over short distances. NFC in transportation is a convenient and secure way to pay for public transit services. NFC-enabled devices can be used as digital wallets to store and access transit passes, tickets, or fares. By simply tapping the device on a reader at the station or on board the vehicle, the payment is processed and verified in seconds. Payment via NFC in transportation can improve the experience and satisfaction of the commuters, as well as the efficiency and profitability of the transportation providers. It can also reduce the environmental impact of transportation by eliminating the need for paper or plastic cards or tickets.

NFC as the Promising Potential Solution?

The use of NFC for transportation payment is not new. One example of NFC in Philippine transportation is the Beep card, which is a prepaid contactless card that can be used on Metro Manila’s elevated railways, buses, and public utility vehicles. Users can top up their Beep cards using their NFC-enabled smartphones or at designated kiosks. Beep cards can reduce queueing time, prevent fraud and enable seamless transfers between different modes of transport. Although the Beep card is used for elevated railways in Metro Manila, the contactless payment method is not fully embraced in other modes of transportation. Also, while it is widely used in Metro Manila transportation systems, there is little to no penetration of NFC-based payment in the regional transportation systems.