MRT G Pass vs. Stored Value Card

Loss of the Bonus Ride The first major disappointment with the G Pass system is the loss of the bonus ride. Unlike the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stored value card that allows the commuter to use the card despite the fact that it’s less than the actual fare for the trip, e.g. Php 1 for a Php 15 ride, the G Pass does not have this feature.

Maintaining Php 16 Balance Moreover, there is a required maintaining balance of Php 16. Therefore, if your balance is Php 15 or less, your G Pass will not work.

Added 2% Cost Aside from the fare, an added 2% is charged, which is one of the ways that Globe will earn from the G Pass system. 2% translates to an additional Php 20 to 30 cents, which may not seem much, but if you multiply it with all the trips you’re going to take…

2% of a Cubao to Ayala trip done twice a day equals Php 0.48/day, which becomes more than Php 100 in a year, under the assumption that you go to work at least 20 days of the month.

Added Php 1 Per G Cash Load Request and Text The other ways by which Globe will earn from the G Pass system is through the G Pass reloads via G Cash and requests for information by texting LOAD to 2862. Each request is charged Php 1, which, once again, adds to your costs.

Php 100 Cash Outlay Of course, there’s the initial cash outlay of Php 100 for the G Pass. There is the free load of Php 50 though, so it’s more like Php 50 for the G Pass. Incidentally, unlike the stored value card’s 3 month expiration, the G Pass’ expiration is 3 years.

G Pass or Stored Value Card? If your budget can accommodate the cash outlay of Php 100 for the stored value card, then it’s more logical to choose that option because of the eventual cash savings.

The G Pass is being promoted as a way to save time by avoiding the need to line up. As of the moment, the only people, I think, who would find the G Pass convenient would be present G Cash users, since they can reload via the texting option for a minimum of Php 10 to a maximum of Php 2,000.

If you’re not a G Cash user, then you have to reload via the G Pass booths at the MRT stations, which would entail lining up, which will eliminate the time savings that a G Pass holder is supposed to have. The lines will probably be shorter, of course, because there will be a very few number of G Pass users initially.

As for me, the MRT stored value card will do just nicely, thank you.

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