DOTr taps PayMaya for cashless PUV fare

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has tapped digital financial services firm PayMaya to provide drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) access to cashless payment options.

PayMaya is offering various taxi and transport operators and their drivers QR scan-to-pay capabilities via its mobile app, which will also give them access to a digital financial account that they can use for everyday transactions such as bills payments, airtime load reloading and sending money.

The DOTr, through the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has issued guidelines mandating taxis and transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) vehicles that would operate in areas under general community quarantine to adopt cashless payments as a measure to help curb the further spread of COVID-19.

“Cashless payments particularly in taxis and TNVS vehicles is part of our new norm, and we are glad that our drivers and operators have easy and convenient options such as PayMaya so that they can quickly implement this solution for the safety and benefit of their riders,” LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said.

PayMaya said drivers and transport operators may also receive contactless payments soon through credit, debit, and prepaid cards via tap-to-pay technology through its other digital payment solutions.

The firm said operators may also utilize its payout disbursement solution to easily distribute salaries and other incentives through their drivers’ PayMaya accounts.

On top of helping drivers accept cashless payments, PayMaya will also soon enable them with additional livelihood options–such as offering airtime load purchases, bills payment, and even remittances if they also operate a sari-sari store or any physical store–through other upcoming products and services.

“In the new normal, we must help everyone adapt to new and safer ways to lead our lives, and that includes the transportation industry. PayMaya is proud to support the government and transport operators not just in helping them accept contactless payments, but to chart the path towards their full recovery as well,” PayMaya founder and CEO Orlando Vea said.

The DOTr said digital payments would be part of the new normal when paying fares for taxis and TNVS as the agency embarks on partnerships with various digital payment providers to boost the use of cashless transactions.

The agency, which has also secured partnership with GCash, is encouraging other online payment service providers, such as Squidpay and Beep, to make their services available to PUV companies, drivers, and passengers.