CLARK FREEPORT – The Clark Loop bus service was launched on Sept. 16 her, ushering the first-of-its-kind cashless system in Central Luzon.
“It all started with an idea and this is a prime example of the seamless coordination between government personnel and the community, working together as part of Clark’s thriving business ecosystem,” enthused Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, president and CEO of the Clark Development Corp., the service operator during the launch at the SM City Clark.
Devanadera was joined at the ribbon-cutting ceremonies by Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infra Jesus Ferdinand Ortega, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz III with regional director Aminoden Guro, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and CEO Joshua Bingcang, Luzon International Premiere Airport Development president Noel Manankil, acting Bamban Mayor Eraño Timbang, Beep chief commercial officer Sharon Fong, SM senior assistant VP Johanna Melissa Rupisan with area manager Andrea Madlambayan and SM Clark mall manager Jerwin Jalandoni.
Declaring DOTr’s full support for the project, Ortega expressed hope that Clark Loop “will serve as a model for other provinces and regions across the country.”
For his part, Guadiz said: “This is the first cashless system in Region 3, significantly enhancing transportation for the workforce of Clark investors. The LTFRB stands firmly behind you and will continue to support your upcoming projects in Clark.”
The Clark Loop seeks to provide a seamless travel experience for commuters, tourists, and workers in the Clark Freeport as well as those in the Clark International Airport. With some 140,000 workers in Clark, this service seeks to ease transportation challenges.
An initial fleet of 10 Clark Loop buses, each with a minimum seating capacity of 42, commenced a soft rollout on Sept. 17 on both northbound and southbound routes.
CDC Permits Division manager Erwin Bognot said each bus will operate on a fully cashless system using Beep cards. The base fare is P15 for the first five kilometers, with an additional P2.50 per kilometer thereafter. The maximum fare to the CRK is P49. Discounts are available for senior citizens and PWDs.
He reminded riders to tap in when boarding and tap out at their destination to avoid being charged the full loop fare.
Beep cards are widely used for public transportation in Metro Manila, and some parts of Luzon, including cities like Cebu and Bacolod. Besides paying for fares on public transportation systems such as the MRT, LRT, buses, and modern jeepneys, Beep cards can also be used for purchases at select convenience stores, fast food outlets, and other retail establishments.
Additionally, they are accepted for toll payments on certain expressways, parking fees, and even in some theme parks and tourist attractions. It allows commuters to pay fares electronically through a reloadable card, managed by AF Payments Inc.
Clark Loop’s northbound route will feature 25 stopovers, starting from SM City Clark Gate 1 near the department store to CRK, with a reverse route for southbound travel. The schedule is as follows:
Weekdays: First trip from SM City Clark departs at 5 AM; first trip from CRK departs at 6:30 AM.
Weekends: First trip from SM City Clark departs at 6 AM; first trip from CRK Airport departs at 7:30 AM on Saturdays and 8 AM on Sundays. With CDC-PR
