Rush-hour traffic on EDSA, near the MRT-Cubao area. Car owners are being encouraged to ride the P2P buses, which are adding new routes and, in the case of one operator, using tap cards for riders who can also use these for discounts in selected malls and event places. INTERAKSYON FILE 
 
MANILA – After rail systems, point-to-point (P2P) buses are next in line to incorporate tap cards into their system of payment.
 
This, after P2P bus operator Froehlich Tours Inc. this week announced its partnership with SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SLEI) to provide a card payment system ePlus in P2P trips.
 
Under the partnership, SMLEI‘s ePlus will provide passengers with white-label tap cards for reload and single payment functions, as well as programmed monthly pass functions with discounted rates.
 
The cards will also be available for corporate transport solutions on employers wishing to avail of bulk agreements for their employees on discounted monthly passes for P2P and BAS.
 
Moreover, this will enable customers to avail special promos and discounts on SM Cinema, IMAX, Directors Club, Mall of Asia Arena, SM Tickets, blink, Exploreum, SM Bowling, SM Skating and Snack Time.
 
Froehlich Tours hopes the partnership will offer a strong and reliable transport payment solution for Metro Manila commuters.
 
ePlus is expected to be available for P2P trips in the next two to three weeks.
 
First launched in 2012, the ePlus Card is a stored-value reloadable card with payment application that serves as an integrated e-wallet for retail, transport, leisure, dining, and entertainment.
 
ePlus, which uses contactless smart card technology, boasts of its secure and convenient system that can provide flexible payment and loyalty solutions depending on the requirements of its cardholders and partner merchants.
 
Since ePlus transactions are processed without online authorization, payment is done in as fast as three seconds.
 
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) meanwhile said that innovations such as this are a welcome development.
 
“The partnership between Froehlich Tours and SM’s ePlus is a welcome development. It is in consonance with LTFRB’s mission to ensure that our commuting public will have convenient and reliable mode of paying their fares,” LTFRB Chairman Atty. Winston Ginez said in a text message.
 
“It is also a step for empowering our people to experience the power of ecards in their daily activities such as commuting , shopping, watching a movie and other wide array of activities,” he added.
 
Earlier, Froehlich added a new model type to its fleet of modern city buses called Higer KLQ 6129GM, which is equipped with an automatic wheelchair lifter, EUR5 engine, kneeling function, separated driver cabin, 3 door easy access system as well as complete PWD amenities.
 
The P2P operator said that the first unit of this new model type will be delivered by end of June 2016.
 
At present, the operational P2P routes are Trinoma-Makati, offered by Froehlich Tours, and Ortigas-Makati, offered by HM Transport.
 
P2P buses are meant to encourage private car-owners to commute in order to ease road traffic.