LRT1/LRT2/MRT3 Flash Pass

[talipandas9]

The three light rail commuter systems running in Metro Manila - the LRT1, the LRT2, and the MRT3 have introduced a unified single ticket that can be used for all the 3 systems. This is known as the Flash Pass.

With the Flash Pass, you don't have to line up everytime you transfer from one system to another. For example, if you board off at LRT1's EDSA Station, you can hop on to the MRT3 at its Taft Avenue station without buying another ticket for the MRT3 ride. Same goes if you're coming from Doroteo Jose and then you can take an LRT2 ride at Recto (assuming it's open already).

But here's the catch when I inquired about it yesterday. It costs -- P250! Yup, it's no typo error and here's another eyecatcher. The validity of the pass is 1 week only! Gosh, that means you really have to ride all the trains a lot just to maximize the Flash Pass. Aside from the fact that the Flash Pass is available at the moment at selected stations (for the LRT1, it's available only at Central, Monumento, and EDSA, I don't know where it's available for the LRT2 and MRT3), the rider has to consume his pass in 1 week.

I think this pass would fail. Sayang. Instead of considering the convenience of Metro Manila commuters, the management of the 3 systems came up with a blunder. What do you think?

[zerofrills]

It seems that this Flash Pass is the MRT/LRT's low-tech way of providing unified ticketing among the three lines --- while bidding for their contactless smart card ticketing system is still being undertaken.

You'll have to apply for an ID, and buy the PhP 250 coupon. To use it, you present ID and coupon to the security guard so he/she would let you in the staff entrance.

The Php 250 is for UNLIMITED use of the 3 railway systems.
I think this will be cost-effective for people who use the 3 railway systems at least five days a week.

Minimum fare on LRT-1: 12 pesos
Minimum fare on LRT-2: 12 pesos
Minimum fare on MRT-3: 9 pesos
Minimum Total Fare: 33 pesos

Roundtrip: 66 pesos
x 5 days = 330 pesos

So people who spend more than 250 pesos on the 3 railway systems every week should get a Flash Pass. Otherwise, those stored-value tickets will be much more cost-effective.

Check these articles:

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For LRT, MRT riders: 1 ticket, 3 lines
Source: Manila Standard, Tuesday, 20 April 2004

Author: Jude O. Marfil



One Ticket, three lines. The Department of Transportation and Communications yesterday launched a unified ticketing system for Metro Rail Transit commuters in a bid to increase ridership by 15 percent.

DOTC Undersecretary for Rail Transport Jose Cortes Jr. said commuters will no longer have to queue for tickets each time they travel on MRT and LRT lines under the new ticketing system called Flash Pass.

MRT-3, or Blue Line, plies the stretch from Taft Avenue in Pasay City to North Edsa in Quezon City. LRT-1, or Yellow Line, stretches from Baclaran in Parañaque to Monumento, Caloocan City while LRT-2, or Purple Line, runs from Santolan in Pasig City to Legarda in Manila.

A DOTC-commissioned study showed that 20 percent of the 760,000 daily rail commuters transfer from one line to the other.

"We expect 10 percent of this will avail of the Flash Pass while more commuters will take the MRT and LRT because they would find it more convenient," he said.

MRT-3 has a daily passenger load of 380,000; LRT-1, 350,000; and LRT-2, 30,000.

Flash Pass entitles passenger unlimited access to MRT and LRT-1 and 2.

To avail of Flash Pass, a passenger has to apply for an identification card at the North Edsa, Cubao, Shaw Boulevard and Taft stations of MRT and LRT. The ID, which bears the name, picture and signature of the passenger, is nontransferable.

After securing a Flash Pass ID, a passenger can buy a coupon worth P250, available in all stations. The coupon is valid for one week.

When riding either the MRT or LRT, a passenger must show his Flash Pass ID and coupon to a security guard before he can go through the staff entrance.


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New Ticketing system to integrate 3 metro rails
Source: Manila Times, Tuesday, 20 April 2004

Author: Sheryll C. Alhambra



The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) launched on Monday the unified ticketing system for the Light Rail Transit 1 and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

The move is a prelude to the contactless "smartcard" ticketing system that will be installed at the end of 2004 in rail systems all over the country, as well as on all other modes of transport and vending machines in 2006.

The plan is also to integrate existing and future mass rails using the contactless smart card technology to facilitate the transfer of passengers between existing lines making it more convenient to travel using the railway system.

In an interview, Undersecretary for Rail Jose L. Cortes Jr. said the new ticketing system, called Flash Pass, would serve as a test facility for the smart card, which is already being used in many countries.

Cortes said the flash pass card, at P250, can be bought from Monday to Friday at selected LRT and MRT stations. It is valid for one week upon date purchase.

At the moment, single-journey tickets are good for one ride and valid only on the day of purchase, while store-value tickets are priced between P100 and P200.

"The Flash Pass is independent from the magnetic system that is currently used in LRT and MRT. It more economical and more convenient for passengers using the three mass transit systems," DOTC Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Pacifico Fajardo and Metrostar Express general manager Roberto Lastimoso Jr. welcomed this development as this would put the three local mass rails at par with international rail systems.

Meanwhile, Cortes said the DOTC has received bids from about 25 parties to provide the smart card, Cortes said, adding that DOTC will consider the bidder with successful experience in putting up the smart card facilities. To date, Hong Kong has the best record in using the smart card. While the project cost has yet to be determined, Cortes said the contractor of the contactless rail pass would lose if the facility's usage were to be limited within the rail system.

"To make it profitable for them, the contractor that would be awarded to put up the facilities would have to deploy the smart card technology in other areas like buses, vending machines, airports and others," he said.

Cortes said a DOTC study shows that the Flash Pass would corner about 15 percent of the LRT 1 and 2 lines, and the MRT's total passengers.

The figure for the LRT lines are expected to rise to 40 percent with the implementation of the smart card in 2006.

Cortes said the three-year Northrail project, expected to be completed in 2007, would also use the smart card.

The LRT 1 and 2 would each receive one-third of the revenues, and the remaining one-third to the MRT authorities.

[talipandas9]

Thanks zerofrills for the much more detailed info regarding the Flash Pass. You're right - it's indeed a low-tech way toward a unified ticketing system. I was quite disappointed that this is not yet the unified ticket used in other countries like Japan. But at least, it's a step in the right direction.

So, hindi na pala sa turnstile ang daan if you have a Flash Pass ID and coupon. Aba, parang VIP na feeling employee ka pala ng LRT1/LRT2/MRT3 kung gayon.

I think this system would be more attractive (in my opinion) if the pass is valid for 1 month. It's so hard to maximize the P250 unlimited rides in 1 week. You're analysis is correct: you really have to ride the trains at least 6 times a day (round trip) to get your money's worth. If not, it would be best to continue using the stored value tickets offered by all 3 train systems.

Can't wait for the unified ticket for all 3... my wallet's card holder will be filled up for the meantime by the stored value tickets of the LRT1, LRT2, and MRT3 for the meantime. Even though I don't ride the LRT2 that often, it's so inconvenient to bring a lot of coins each time I have to ride the LRT2.

[Fortune]

yung MTR sa HONG KONG
di lang 1 week ang duration ng ticket

baka nga wala
basta hanggang maubos

dapat ganoon din dito

[MiLeS24]

grabe naman yan.... ba't naman one week lang ang validity ng flash card, sana kahit 1 month man lang tinulad naman nila yan sa 30 pesos load na valid lang hanggang 3 days

[zerofrills]

Now that the MRT-3 is poised to increase rates --- PhP 25 for the entire stretch --- maybe this PhP 250 Flash Pass (if it won't also increase it cost) would be worth a second look for those traversing the entire MRT-3 line on a daily basis.

[mytitagirl]

within reason naman ang price, pero sana yung validity mas longer para optimized ang use, kasa grabeng lakwatsera ka naman if maubos mo yon in a week if di ka naman working or student na talagang gumagamit ng trains for a purpose.

mahal kasi yung technology at sytem upgrade kaya siguro P250 ticket prices. dito nga sa singapore nasa S$15 (Php 450) ang EZ Link card kada gamit na one-way, from 80c (Php 24.) to S$2.80 puwede makain sa card value. tapos sa $15 value, ang usable lang ay S$10 at refundable ang S$3 sakaling surrender mo ang card. pero ang maganda up to 3 years ang validity ng card as long as top-up (reload) ka ng value.

mas convenient kesa sa coins at money kasi isa lang card dala mo at sakay ka ng sakay.

sana matuloy nga ang sinasabing unified system ng lahat ng mass transit at vending machine na magtinda para naman less hassle kesa sa pila at sana atm or cash cards puwede pambayad. hurrah at mahi-high tech na ang pinas!