CEBU, Philippines — Passengers plying to southern towns in Cebu Province will soon experience the convenience of an automated ticketing system at the Capitol-run Cebu South Bus Terminal.
The provincial government signed a contract with Topline Hi-Tech and Synergy Corporation for the implementation of the modern ticketing system using reloadable cards.
Topline Hi-Tech and Synergy Corporation will supply, install, operate and maintain the automated centralized ticketing system at the CSBT.
Under the system, passengers will be required to purchase a reloadable value card called “Suroy Suroy Sugbo card” at P100.
“The reloadable stored value card can be obtained from the loading terminals for P100 for an initial value of P70.00 worth of load and a refundable deposit of P30.00 for the use of the card. The refundable deposit will be paid back to the passenger if they desire to return the card,” the contract stated.
The suroy-suroy Sugbo card will serve as an access pass to the terminal using the automated turnstile to be installed at the gate of CSBT. It can also be used in purchasing bus ticket from a ticket Issuance Device and/or ticket validation terminal.
Tickets will be QR coded with two features --- the printed one which will be used by the passenger upon entering the gate of the terminal and the other one is thru a mobile application.
The contract is valid for 10 years but on the second year the Capitol can start to collect a fixed two-percent share from the total revenue. The company will also pay the province a non-refundable amount of P100, 000 as success fee.
“Walay gasto ang province, unya mokita pa ta,” Garcia said during the press conference yesterday.
There will also be fixed fees or convenience fee to be collected from the bus operators.
“So for fares that are below P60, ang convenience fee will be P1. 50 per passenger, but that is charged to the bus line not to the passenger. For fare P60 and above, ang convince fee is P2.50 per passenger charged to the bus lines,” Garcia explained.
“Convenience fee is ultimately mawala na ang kinahanglan nga ticket checking, kaning mag kwenta pa sa halin because everything goes into… it’s all electronic. Immediately the following day the sales of that particular bus nga nag ply sa iyang rota will be deposited to the account of the bus operator,” Garcia said.
A maintenance fee of one peso per passenger will be charged also to the transport operator starting on the second year of operation.
Upon the signing of the contract the Topline will have a maximum of four months for the construction and preparation of the system. It is expected to be operational on the first quarter next year. — FPL (FREEMAN)