File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila Council President Francis Zamora, who is also the mayor of San Juan City, on Tuesday said mayors were eyeing to fully implement the single ticketing system in Metro Manila in “a couple of weeks.”
The pilot run of the new system kicked off on Tuesday in seven cities: Manila, Parañaque, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Muntinlupa, and Valenzuela.
“I’m looking at a few weeks for us to see what should be improved and the adjustments that must be done to ensure its seamless implementation once we roll it out in the entire Metro Manila,” Zamora said in a radio interview.
Under the single ticketing system, traffic enforcers will not be allowed to confiscate the licenses of traffic violators and will instead issue tickets.
The drivers will have the option to pay the fine through electronic wallets, digital payment platforms or through the handheld devices of the enforcer.
The Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023, which is designed to harmonize traffic violations and penalties across cities in the capital region, defines the 20 common traffic violations and the corresponding standardized fines.
For disregarding traffic signs, obstruction, overloading, and defective motor vehicle accessories, motorists will face a fine of P1,000.
For illegal parking, drivers will be fined P1,000 if the vehicle is unattended and P2,000 and impoundment if unattended.
Other common violations in the traffic code include dress code violations, number coding, truck ban, tricycle ban, reckless driving, unauthorized modification, arrogance/discourteous conduct, and illegal counterflow.
Since the new scheme indicates a uniform penalty for each violation, Zamora said persons with disabilities and senior citizens would not be allowed to avail themselves of discounts.
“I’m sorry but the [fines] are now uniform. We have unified all fines to avoid confusion,” he said.