Beep Card Machines Are Being Pulled Out at Several Train Stations

(SPOT.ph) If you’ve been having trouble finding a beep card machine at the station, that’s because several outdated units are being pulled out across LRT and MRT lines. As a result, some common beep card transactions may now need to be done differently or at specific locations.

The affected machines include Stored Value Updaters (SVUs), which are used to fetch load and check a beep card’s balance, and Express Renewal Devices (ERDs), which are used to renew or extend a card’s validity when it is close to expiring.

According to beep, the pullout is limited to defective units that are already outdated and due for replacement. An upgraded system is planned, but not until March 2026. Until then, commuters will have to adjust.

Also read: Senior and PWD Commuters Can Get P500 in Beep Credits For Train Delays—Here's How

Despite the removal of some machines, you can still reload and check the balance of your beep cards through ticket vending machines (TVMs), station counters, and the beep app, which is available on both iOS and Android.

However, renewal services are currently limited to select stations with working ERDs. ERDs are available at Quirino Station (northbound east) and Gil Puyat Station (northbound) for LRT-1 and Antipolo Station (southbound) and Marikina–Pasig Station (southbound) for LRT-2.

While MRT-3 no longer has ERDs, SVUs remain available at select stations: Quezon Avenue, GMA–Kamuning, Araneta Center–Cubao (Arayat side), Santolan–Annapolis, Ortigas (southbound), Shaw Boulevard (Building A), Boni Avenue, Guadalupe, Buendia, Ayala Avenue (Concourse 1), Magallanes (northbound), and Taft Avenue.

For commuters with beep cards nearing expiration, renewal may be done either at the LRT-1 and LRT-2 stations with ERDs or through station counters or tellers. If a card has already expired, cardholders have up to one year from the expiration date to request a replacement and transfer any remaining balance, as long as there is enough load to cover the transfer and card issuance fees.

Additional updates are expected to be released through beep’s official channels.

Also read: Beep Card Expired? Here's How to Extend Validity