AF Payments Inc. (AFPI), the company behind the Automated Fare Collection System beep™ and the supplier of the self-service Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) in LRT1, LRT2 and MRT, has begun the calibration needed for TVMs to accept the new five peso coins released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) late last year.
The calibration work will be conducted in Germany where the supplier of the coin acceptor unit used in the machines is based. AFPI’s partner in Germany is one of the leading suppliers of vending machine coin acceptors in the world.
Taking into consideration any unforeseen delays in the process, the new coins are expected to be usable at all TVMs across the three elevated railways (LRT 1, LRT 2, and MRT 3) this March.
“For the protection of our consumers and the train operators we serve, we only work with experienced and reputable suppliers who have the capability to perform this type of sensitive system upgrade” said Agnes Padilla, spokesperson for AF Payments, Inc.
In the meantime, AFPI advises the commuting public to double-check their five peso coins before inserting them into the TVMs to avoid any inconvenience. It also reminds passengers that they can opt to buy Single Journey Tickets and even replace their new coins for old ones at the station tellers.
Lastly, the company reminds the public that they can purchase and reload the tap-and-go beep™ cards at FamilyMart, Circle K, SM Bill Pay, Robinsons Business Center and Bayad Center outlets as well as at the stations.