MMDA rolls out single ticketing system today

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will begin today the test run of the single ticketing system in five cities in the National Capital Region, an MMDA official announced yesterday.

The MMDA previously said the new scheme, which aims to implement a unified system to penalize traffic violators, would first be rolled out in seven cities: Manila, Parañaque, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Muntinlupa and Valenzuela.

Acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, however, said two cities have asked to defer the implementation of the traffic scheme for another week.

“May dalawang local governments that asked for deferment for minor fixes. But as to the five cities, it’s all systems go for the single ticketing system,” Artes said in a text message to The STAR.

He declined to name the two cities that asked to defer the enforcement of the single ticketing system.

Under the scheme, a uniform set of fines will be imposed for 20 most common traffic violations in Metro Manila.

Among these are disregarding traffic signs, illegal parking (attended and unattended), number coding, truck ban, reckless driving, unregistered motor vehicle, driving without license, tricycle ban, obstruction, overloading, defective motorcycle accessories, unauthorized modifications, driver’s arrogance or discourteous conduct, loading and unloading in prohibited zones, illegal counterflow and speeding.

The MMDA said traffic enforcers would use handheld devices, which will print out violation tickets to be issued to erring motorists.

Violators have the option to pay fines through cash, digital platforms such as GCash or Maya or directly to traffic enforcers using handheld devices.

The driver’s license of the erring motorist will no longer be confiscated, but will be tagged in the Land Transportation Office’s Management System.

Around 900 MMDA enforcers will be deployed along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila during the pilot run, Artes said.

He said Metro Manila mayors, the LTO and MMDA agreed to meet after a week to discuss any adjustments for a more seamless rollout of the single ticketing system.

“As any other new policy, for sure there will be birth pains. We will make the necessary adjustments as we progress,” Artes said.