In a meeting between CBSTC, AF Payments Inc. and DBP on March 6 at the DBP Baguio Branch located at Lower Session Road, Baguio City, DBP Account Officer Richie Orven P. Flores confirmed that instead of 80 thousand pesos, the subsidy will be 5% of the modernized jeepney cost. Every modernized jeepney to be released will receive a subsidy of 5% from the Philippine government. This was following the inquiry of the CBSTC team requesting an update on the jeepney subsidy in order to provide an accurate answer to its members’ quiries.
The government, through the Department of Transportation will hand out over 2.2 billion in subsidy in the three years of the rollout of the public utility vehicle modernization program to better aid drivers and operators as they transition from their old jeepney units to environment-friendly vehicles.
Under the special program for environment-friendly and efficiently-driven jeepneys, drivers can avail themselves of a loan package of P1.2 million and above to buy either an air-conditioned electric, hybrid or Euro-4 jeepney. Because of the subsidy, jeepney drivers, most of whom live on a hand-to-mouth existence, would no longer need to worry where they would get the money to pay up for the equity.
The main agenda on the meeting was the BEEP cards to be used on the modernized PUVs ready to be released. Present were the CBSTC team headed by Chairman and Founder Mr. Jude G. Wal, AF Payments Inc Business Development Supervisor Carlo Brian Castelo, and DBP Assistant Manager and Account Officer Richie Orven P. Flores. AF Payments Inc introduced and discussed the features of the BEEP card. This is inline with the government’s PUV Modernization Program requiring an Automatic Fare Collection System on PUVs.
The BEEP card’s tap-to-pay system is currently available for use in all three elevated railways in Metro Manila (LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3), select bus lines, CAVITEX, and NLEX. Operating Transport Cooperatives are using the BEEP cards on their automatic fare collection and to name a few are Taguig TSC, Pateros- Ft Bonifacio TSMPC, Northern Bukidnon TSMPC, Madaluyong TSC.
The BEEP cards can also be used in making purchases at Family Mart, 7-eleven stores, Mini Stop, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Pan de Manila, Wendy’s, Chooks to Go, National Bookstore, San Mig Food Avenue, Circle K, Binalot, Auntie Anne’s and other live partners. It also features the convenience of paying bills at the Bayad Centers.
The BEEP card is reloadable up to P10,000. Off-rail reloading options include select outlets of Bayad Center, SM Bills Payment, Villarica, Tambunting, FamilyMart, Circle K, and of course the soon to rise CBSTC Transportation Centers.
Aside from the sleek new design of the modernized jeepney and the 5% subsidy, there are a lot of benefits to the riding public. The jeepneys will be environment and health-friendly, comfortable, safe, and I think it is about time to say goodbye to “bayad, paki-abot po” payment system. No more passing of change from one passenger to another since all you will need is a loaded BEEP card.
CBSTC is embracing the PUV Modernization Program. It has an office at the 3rd floor of Oras Commercial Building, Betag, Km 5, La Trinidad, Benguet with contact numbers 174 665 7544 and 0938 589 4505.
By: Jing Samonte, CBSTC
