SM Megamall Becomes Part of Metro Manila’s Transit Backbone with Busway Link

MANILA, Philippines, 28 August 2026 - Every day, over 170,000 commuters board the EDSA Bus Carousel to get to work, school, and everywhere in between – and this passenger count continues to climb. As more Filipinos turn to the EDSA busway as their daily mode of transportation, the infrastructure around its busiest stations is being pushed to keep pace, with one of the initiatives being a direct walkway linking the bus station to SM Megamall.

The SM Megamall EDSA Busway Concourse, which opened to the public on April 2026, is an elevated, weather-protected walkway that connects the EDSA Bus Carousel’s SM Megamall station to SM Megamall Building A, eliminating the need for commuters to traverse the lengthy stretch across EDSA. It houses escalators and elevators to ensure convenient access for all, including commuters with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

The concourse was developed by your most loved SM Supermalls in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), as part of joint efforts to improve the commuter experience. The link provides direct access to the bus platform that serves northbound trips to Monumento and southbound trips to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

This development reflects a broader shift in how Philippine malls are evolving in design – being positioned not only as shopping and leisure destinations, but also as functional nodes within the country’s urban mobility network. SM Megamall’s busway link builds on a similar model previously introduced at SM North EDSA, signaling a pattern that may be replicated across other SM Supermalls strategically located along major transit corridors.

Under the My SM campaign, the mall operator highlights its larger commitment to enhancing and reenvisioning how daily activities – like commuting – can be made more seamless, comfortable, and safe for every Filipino. For more information, visit @smmegamall or https://www.smsupermalls.com/. 

Also check the youtube video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/UdF2XBF_M2A?si=UYjyRAuWf-QtvTdu

GCash Ushers in More Seamless Train Commutes on LRT-2 via GCash Commute QR

Passengers of Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) can now pay for their fares directly from their phones using GCash Commute QR, making their commutes faster and more convenient.

 

GCash joined the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Manila Transit Authority (LRTA), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), and Visa in the official launch of cashless payment options, including GCash Commute QR, at the LRT-2 servicing stations spanning Manila, San Juan, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, and Antipolo.

 

This is part of LRT-2's transition to a cashless payment system, which now also supports NFC-enabled Tap-to-Pay as well as Visa and Mastercard payments.

 

“This initiative supports rail modernization and the adoption of a National Standard for Automated Fare Collection, enabling more seamless, efficient, and integrated payments across transport modes,” said DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

 

GCash for Business General Manager, Paul Albano of G-Xchange Inc., mobile wallet operator of GCash, said, "We are committed to partnering with the government to modernize payments in public transportation and make commuting easier for more Filipinos.”

 

“Through payment innovation and strong public-private collaboration, we aim to support nation-building and help create a more inclusive digital economy," he added.

 

This rollout signifies the initial stage of a broader initiative to modernize fare systems on LRT-2. Moving forward, GCash also aims to enable GCash Tap-To-Pay and GCash Visa card for even more seamless entry and exit across all stations.

 

With cashless payments, passengers can go straight to the turnstile, scan their Commute QR, and head to the train platforms.

 

Entering the LRT-2 Lanes using the GCash Commute QR is easy:

 

1.     Tap Commute in the GCash app to generate your QR code, then save it for offline use. Make sure your GCash wallet has at least ₱16.50, following the discounted fares implemented by the DOTr.

2.     Proceed to the LRT-2 turnstile and scan your Commute QR to enter.

3.     At your destination, scan the same Commute QR at the exit turnstile. Your fare will be deducted automatically.

 

The cashless payment option is expected to benefit millions of commuters. According to the Light Rail Transit Authority, LRT-2 served over 58.7 million passengers last year.

 

With cashless entry now available at station turnstiles, passengers can move past the ticket lines, especially during rush hour. For students bound for the University Belt and workers navigating Metro Manila’s busiest corridors, the cashless payment rollout removes a familiar source of stress from the daily commute.

 

This launch builds on the successful integrations at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and the EDSA Busway, where cashless payments via GCash have already proven reliable under high passenger volumes. Those deployments showed that digital fare systems can keep pace with real-world commuting demands, paving the way for expansion to the LRT-2’s high-traffic corridors.

 

Through technology, we are reducing wait times, ultimately aiming for a better commute experience for millions of Filipinos. Digital transformation is now active on LRT tracks, and with just a few taps, daily travel moves faster and with less friction.

 

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.