GCash Is Now Accepted on the EDSA Carousel

(SPOT.ph) One of the most annoying parts of riding the EDSA Carousel has been paying the fare. Even as trips got faster, commuters were still stuck with cash. Here's some good news: Cashless payment is now an option on board!

Selected EDSA Carousel buses are now equipped with GCash SoundPay devices, allowing commuters to pay the fare with a quick scan on the phone—no exact change, no waiting for sukli needed.

About 260 bus units are included in the year-long pilot. During this period, the DOTr and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) are observing how well the system works in real commuting conditions—speed, reliability, and ease of use—before deciding whether to expand it further.

In any case, look out for the “GCash accepted here” sign on participating buses before you board, especially if you’re riding without cash.

Also read: From Monumento to PITX: Your Ultimate Guide to the EDSA Carousel

Once you’re on the bus, open the GCash app and tap “Scan to Pay.” Scan the QR code on the SoundPay device held by the conductor, enter the fare amount, and confirm the payment. The best part? There’s no added convenience or transaction fee when paying with GCash.

Discounts still apply. Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) continue to get the mandated 20% fare discount even when paying via GCash, according to the DOTr. The idea is to keep existing fare rules intact while offering a faster payment method.

The cashless option doesn’t replace cash fares—for now, it’s simply an additional way to pay. So if you prefer paying in cash, nothing changes, but if you’re heavily reliant on e-wallets, this lets you move through the busway with fewer steps.

GCash and BSP officials have said the system uses the same security standards as other GCash transactions. As payments are QR-based, they don’t require handing over your phone or personal details to anyone on the bus.

If you’ve never tried the EDSA Carousel before, this might be the best time to do it. With holiday traffic already getting worse across Metro Manila, the busway remains one of the few ways to get from north to south without spending hours on the road. If you’re riding for the first time—or just need a quick refresher—we’ve put together a guide to the EDSA Carousel’s fare, routes, and operating schedule so you know exactly what to expect before hopping on.

Also read: EDSA Busway to Open Three New Stations by 2026