Plasticard gets DOTC deal

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has awarded the P8.70 million contract to supply magnetic tickets for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 to Banner Plasticard, Inc.

“Based on the findings of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), the contract for the supply and delivery of 1.502 million magnetic tickets for DOTC-MRT 3 EDSA Line is hereby awarded to Banner Plasticard, Inc. pursuant to BAC Resolution...dated 22 June 2012,” the department said in a notice posted on its website yesterday.

The supply and delivery of magnetic tickets for the MRT is intended to replace the old tickets being used by passengers of the railway.

The DOTC had said earlier that old tickets which were already worn out could no longer be used.

The MRT 3 runs from North Avenue in Quezon City, until Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) earlier also opened the bidding for the supply of 3.3 million magnetic tickets for its two train lines to replace old tickets.

The LRT Line 1 runs from Roosevelt station in Quezon City until the Baclaran station in Pasay City, while Line 2 is from Santolan in Pasig to Recto in Manila.

Magnetic tickets used by the train lines, officials have said earlier, usually last for two years.

The DOTC said earlier that it is looking at having a common ticketing system for LRT Lines 1 and 2 and for the MRT.

The ticket, DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said, would be similar to Hong Kong’s Octopus card, which could be used for transport and also to purchase goods in convenience stores.

He said the ticket would likewise have e-(electronic) banking features.

A study on the common ticketing project is being conducted by the DOTC and the bidding for the project is eyed in the middle of the year.