MANILA - PayMaya said Wednesday it partnered with transport authorities to equip taxi drivers with cashless payment options required under the new normal brought about by COVID-19.

The mobile app will provide taxi drivers and other transport operators with QR scan-to-pay capability as well as access to other digital features such as bills payment, reloading and money transfer, PayMaya said in a statement.

Taxis, ride-hailing and other public transport vehicles are allowed to operate in areas under general community quarantine but with strict guidelines such as reduced capacity and the use of cashless payments.

“In the ‘new normal’, we must help everyone adapt to new and safer ways to lead our lives, and that includes the transportation industry," said PayMaya Founder and CEO Orlando B. Vea.

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Using scan-to-pay instead of cash reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19, the Department of Transportation earlier said.

“Cashless payments particularly in taxis and TNVS vehicles is part of our new norm, and we are glad that our drivers and operators have easy and convenient options such as PayMaya so that they can quickly implement this solution for the safety and benefit of their riders,” said LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III.

The DOTr earlier said it tapped GCash to help equip taxis with scan-to-pay systems.