P1.7-B automated ticketing seen ready by June

MANILA, Philippines - The tandem of infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and conglomerate Ayala Corp. is looking at putting into commercial operation the single ticketing system for the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit (MRT-LRT) systems three months ahead of schedule.

MPIC president Jose Ma. K. Lim said the AF Consortium is set to fully implement the P1.7-billion automated fare collection system (AFCS) by June next year to upgrade  and consolidate the fare collection systems of the three urban rail transit systems in Metro Manila.

Lim said all the hardware has been completed and the software for the project is now being tested that would pave the way for the physical installation in March next year.

 “We will start implementing its by stages and we hope to fully implement it by June next year. That is our target,” Lim added.

Under the concession agreement, he said the consortium has until September to put the AFCS into commercial operation. “This will give us enough leeway for unexpected delays,” he said.

Last March 31, the AF Consortium inked the concession agreement with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for the single ticketing system.