As quarantine restrictions are eased and people start to travel more—many using public transport, one of the mandatory guidelines issued by the country’s transportation department is the use of cashless payments.
This is where TRIPKO comes in. It’s a reloadable payment card that minimizes at least three main contact points when using public transport.
First contact point is the issuance of manual tickets. During transit, tickets are held by transport employees before they are given to passengers. This process is streamlined by using TICKETKO, an automated ticketing system used in conjunction with TRIPKO.
It’s a mobile POS that uses thermal paper in a compartment. Once thermal ticket is printed, travelers can peel it off themselves.
Second contact point is the exchange of money to pay for fare. By using TRIPKO, travelers only need to tap the cash card on to TICKETKO without any contact with the conductor or driver.
Lastly, contact tracing is easier because each TRIPKO cardholder is asked to register his/her card online so that each time travelers tap the card, there is a record of who were inside the public vehicle. No need to hold the publicly shared pen and paper for manual logging onsite.
TRIPKO is a product of Journeytech Inc., a 10 year-old IT company focused on digitizing the transportation payment landscape thereby promoting security and efficiency to the riding public and transport operators. To date, TRIPKO has more than 20,000 users nationwide.
HM Transport is one of the few bus companies during GCQ that was immediately allowed to operate because of their ability to accommodate cashless payments. The bus company uses cashless payment in three of their routes: Starmall Alabang-BGC; Pacita-BGC; and Alabang Town Center-BGC P2P. More routes are being arranged.
Last year, EcoDyip with its DyipKo modernized jeepneys offered the TRIPKO payment option in their PITX-Lawton route. In February 2020, it was launched in Bahaghari Kapit Bisig Transport Cooperative in Mindoro. Other clients include JAM Liner, Cher Transport, AB Liner, Basicano Transport, and Ilagan Public Utility Transport Cooperative.