MMDA to fully roll out single ticketing system in Metro Manila by Q3

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes shows a body camera device on his left hand that can be monitored via mobile phone in real time to be used by the traffic enforcer on duty in NCR. The MMDA held a press briefing on Friday, May 5, in Pasig City to discuss the single ticketing system. INQUIRER.net photo / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday said it expects to fully implement the single ticketing system in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) by the third quarter of 2023.

“We don’t have the definitive date regarding the full implementation sa iba [pang cities], pero definitely by third quarter lahat na po on board na,” said MMDA acting chair Don Artes in a press briefing.

(We don’t have the definitive date regarding the full implementation in other [cities], but everyone will be on board by the third quarter.)

It can be recalled that the single ticketing system was first implemented in the cities of San Juan, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, and Quezon City as part of the new system’s dry run before transitioning to the rest of Metro Manila.

“Ang gusto po namin dito muna sa lima mag-concentrate. ‘Pag maayos na ang implementation dito, tiyaka isusunod ang 12 pa na natitira para hindi na paulit ulit na adjust ng adjust at mas mabilis na ang rollout,” said Artes.

(We want to concentrate on the five cities first. Once the implementation is settled in these areas, we will proceed with the 12 cities left so that we will not have to adjust again and again, and the rollout will be faster.)

Handheld Single Ticketing device INQUIRER.net photo / Noy Morcoso

According to Artes, all cities are just waiting to receive the automated handheld devices used by traffic enforcers to help them implement the single ticketing system.

Handheld devices

The automated handheld devices will be issued to each city’s authorized or deputized traffic personnel, which they then can use when physically apprehending erring drivers.

The MMDA previously said that the devices could print citation tickets, validate and authenticate driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, check if the driver has incurred demerit points or if his/her license or the vehicle registration is suspended, canceled, or has an existing alarm, accept cashless payments of fines, among others.

So far, the MMDA has procured 510 devices, costing not more than P20,000 to P30,000 each.

“We now just have to customize it, susunod na order kung ilan pa depende na sa need ng LGUs (local government units), kung kailangan ng isang LGU ng 300, ibibigay ‘yun (how many the next order will be would depend on the needs of the LGUs, if an LGU needs 300, that will be provided),” said Artes.

Motorists will have the option to either pay the violation fine on the spot through cashless means or opt to pay later within the 10-day limit.

“‘Pag hindi nabayaran, ipapaubaya po namin sa bawat LGUs whether magiimpose sila ng interest or penalty dahil yan ay pumapasok na sa fiscal autonomy ng bawat LGU,” explained Artes.

(If it is not paid, we will leave it up to each LGU whether they will impose interest or penalty because that is already within the fiscal autonomy of each LGU.)

Motorists may also contest their violation online through the MMDA’s website within the 10-day payment period.

So far, only San Juan City has utilized its own procured handheld devices.

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