Motoring Today Column

Nov 24, 2021

Those who'd done some traveling on foreign shores may be longing for the convenience of getting on buses, rail and other forms of mass transport using just one card to tap to pay for fare.

That is one of the things that Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing heading into the final months of the present administration.

A public consultation on Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) National Standards was recently held that was attended by over 300 representatives from transport service groups and institutions.

The National Standards for AFCS aims to establish "a nationwide standard specification for transit fare media and transit readers, to ensure interoperability and mutual trust among multiple automatic fare collection players and systems."

In other words, allowing commuters to use just one card to pay for all rides.

While the AFCS is meant to incorporate all other forms of land transport, it was Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan who briefed those at the public consultation on the "Cashless, Multimodal, Open, and Interoperable AFCS, its National Standards, and the Target Image and Architecture" that government wants established.

What should interest commuters and the general public is that the DOTr doesn't want to designate just one provider.

Instead Batan said the DOTr is highly encouraging "existing and prospective AFCS providers out there to already align your respective infrastructure and architecture to the requirements of the National Standards to make the transition later easier and seamless."

Addressing transport operators to be covered by thr AFCS, Batan said: "DOTr will only be involved in the testing and certification process. DOTr will not be involved in your selection. You will choose your own AFCS provider, we will only require that they are compliant with the National Standards, so that we achieve the objective of this national interoperable fair collection system."

Safe To Travel

Is it already safe to travel for leisure?

Yes, it is but only with proper observance of health protocols meant to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

This is the message that Nissan Philippines, Inc. and the Department of Tourism want to impart as it renewed its partnership to conduct the Safe Trips campaign.

Nissan and DOT began its Safe Trips partnership in November 2020 by conducting a road trip to Baguio and other parts of Ilocos Norte with the same of objectives of promoting safe and responsible travel to support the revival of the tourism industry as quarantine restrictions are eased.

This time the DOT and Nissan invited a select group of members of media and influencer to a 12-hour land and sea journey to Boracay Island to promote and demonstrate long distance land travel as a fun and exciting way to reach popular local destinations.

Said Atsushi Najima, Nissan Philippines president and managing director : "Through this campaign, we have seen for ourselves that safety and responsibility are not obstacles to enjoying the beautiful destinations of the Philippines. In fact, they are important factors that make your trip a more enjoyable experience for you and your loved ones."

Speaking for DOT, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said: "As more people travel to our tourist destinations all over the country, jobs and sustainable livelihoods are restored and created for millions of Filipinos."

Stylish Pickup

Mazda Philippines is looking to shake things up in the local pickup market with the launch of the All-New Mazda BT-50.

Mazda says that rebuilt from ground up, the All-New Mazda BT-50 fuses premium car-like comfort, elegance and style with the strength, stance and functionality of a dedicated workhorse.

"The new BT-50 brings power, stature and prestige into the pickup market as it sits proudly among the rest of our Kodo Soul of Motion-inspired lineup," says Mazda Philippines president and CEO, Steven Tan.

"It is a confident expression of strength and versatility tempered by style and boldness that will allow its driver to experience life to the fullest. Our customers will surely find in the new BT-50 the same premium quality, comfort, durability and driving satisfaction that they have come to expect from every Mazda."

Mazda is offering the Mazda BT-50 in three variants, including a 4x4 automatic, all powered by a 3.0-liter In-line intercooler-equipped variable-geometry turbo diesel engine that generates 190 horsepower and 450 Newton-meters of torque.

Inspiring Dealership

Will a visit dealership inspire you to buy a car?

That may be what Kia Alabang wants to happen.

But that may just be one of the objectives of Kia's global transformation, defined by the slogan "Movement That Inspires."

Kia Alabang is the first local dealership to showcase Kia's new store design highlighted by the new logo that represents the new global vision of the carmaker from South Korea.

Closely following Kia Philippines' brand relaunch, Kia Alabang was formally inaugurated as the first local dealership to embody the brand's global transformation.

Kia Alabang is only the beginning of the brand's reinvention following the launch of Kia's new brand purpose, says Manny Aligada, Kia Philippines president.

Kia's goal is to constantly provide memorable customer experiences while creating various programs that aim to continuously strengthen the knowledge and skills of all its teams to better serve its valued customers, says Aligada.

Kia Alabang is strategically located in one of the most vibrant convergences of the urban and suburban markets in the Calabarzon socioeconomic region where the rapid pace of progress is tempered with slow, deliberate countryside lifestyle, says Bob Palanca, chief operating officer of Iconic Dealership Inc. (IDI) , the multi-brand automotive dealer group that is a wholly owned subsidiary of AC Motors, an Ayala company.

This is the perfect market landscape to highlight Kia's focus on customer experience that complements its quality and stylish products, Palanca adds.

The 11th dealership under the IDI group-and fourth for the Kia brand-Kia Alabang is located along Alabang-Zapote Road, corner Acacia Avenue, Madrigal Business Park, Muntinlupa City.

Happy Motoring!!!

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