Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has launched the Philippines’ first rail fare collection system to accept open-loop EMV cards, NFC mobile wallets, and QR payments on one platform, taking the bank into public transport.
From July 13, LRT-2 commuters can pay by tapping a Visa or Mastercard debit, credit, or prepaid card, using an NFC wallet such as Google Pay, or scanning GCash QR.
RCBC built the platform with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and Visa. A PISO Fare Cashback Promo runs until July 31 for eligible debit and credit cardholders.
The system is bank-agnostic. It accepts cards and wallets from any participating bank, e-money issuer, or fintech, so commuters no longer need a dedicated transit card.
“We are grateful for the trust and partnership of the DOTr and LRTA as we continue building accessible and future-ready digital ecosystems for Filipinos. Beyond banking, we see digital finance as an enabler of more connected, seamless, and efficient daily experiences,” said RCBC president and CEO Reggie Cariaso.
The rollout sits within RCBC’s wider digital payments push, which includes RCBC Pulz, RCBC DiskarTech, and RCBC ATM Go.
“This is a defining milestone in the modernization of Philippine public transportation. For the first time, commuters can seamlessly use their everyday bank cards, mobile NFC wallets, and QR payments in one interoperable transit ecosystem,” said Lito Villanueva, RCBC executive vice president and chief innovations and inclusion officer.
“By making commuting simpler, faster, and more inclusive, we are accelerating digital adoption, advancing financial inclusion, and bringing the Philippines closer to the digital transport systems found in leading global cities,” he added.
LRT-2 carries more than 58.7 million passengers a year.