MMDA: Single ticketing system successful so far

MANILA, Philippines — The pilot run of the single ticketing system for traffic violators in Metro Manila was successful, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Friday.

Acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the first three days of the single ticketing system’s implementation, which started on May 2, in Muntinlupa, San Juan, Valenzuela, Parañaque and Quezon City had been “generally successful.”

The system prescribes a uniform set of fines for motorists caught violating traffic rules in Metro Manila.

“No major issues, concerns or complaints have been reported. Our focus now is on some adjustments that must be made in the coming days. So far, we are doing good,” Artes said.

The MMDA and its policy-making body – the Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of 17 mayors – as well as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) noted some “glitches,” particularly in the enforcers’ familiarity with the technology involved in the single ticketing system.

These include uploading of information on violations, access to the portal and activation of online payment systems, according to LTO-Metro Manila director Noreen San Luis-Lutey.

Artes said traffic enforcers in Metro Manila would be trained to use handheld devices for issuing traffic violation tickets.

“We admit that not all enforcers are techies, so there is a need to train them. One of our observations is the incorrect input of names so they don’t match LTO data,” he said.

The MMDA has procured 510 handheld devices, which would be distributed to enforcers in five cities that joined the system’s pilot run.

Artes said the devices would be customized, depending on the rules of each local government unit, particularly on imposing penalties for the late payment of fines.

For his part, MMC president and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said the city government is “excited” to receive the gadgets.

“Based on the MMDA’s demo on the gadgets, they are capable of credit card at online payment,” he said.

Artes hopes that all local governments in Metro Manila will be able to implement the single ticketing system by the third quarter of this year.