Dry run of NCR single ticketing system 'successful' —MMDA

The dry run of the single ticketing system in five cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been successful despite some "birth pangs" in its implementation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Friday.

“Successful po yung ating launch doon sa limang siyudad. Wala po tayong nakita o na-observe o na-report na major na pagkakamali, challenges, issues, complaints,” MMDA chairperson Romando Artes told reporters.

(The launch of the single ticketing system in five cities was successful. We did not observe any major mistakes, challenges, issues, or complaints.)

However, Artes admitted that some adjustments should be made in the implementation.

“Tulad ng lahat ng bagong proyekto ng pamahalaan, may birth pangs. May mga adjustment na kailangan gawin (Like other new projects of the government, there are birth pangs. There are adjustments that need to be done),” he said.

Artes suggested conducting more training for enforcers in using the hand-held single ticketing device as some of them had errors on the input. 

“We admit na baka hindi po lahat ng ating enforcers ay techy so kailangan po talagang i-train sila paggamit nito (that not all of enforcers are techy so we really need to train them in using it),” he said.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional director Noreen San Luis-Lutey said only five cities, including San Juan, Paranaque, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, and Quezon City, were able to join the dry run.

Initially, the MMDA announced that seven cities would join the pilot run of the single ticketing system.

San Luis-Lutey said only limited payment channels are available during the dry run, but she expects this to increase in the coming days. 

Out of the five cities that participated in the dry run, the LTO official said only San Juan was able to deploy a single ticketing system device.

Artes said San Juan procured their own hand-held devices for the single ticketing system.

The dry run for the single ticketing system in the NCR started on Tuesday, May 2.

The single-ticketing system aims to establish a uniform policy on traffic violations and penalty system in Metro Manila.

It would cover Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, Makati, Manila, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, and Pateros.

The Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023, which serves as the guideline for the system, includes penalties for the following traffic violations:

• Disregarding traffic signs
• Illegal parking (attended and unattended)
• Number coding UVVRP
• Truck ban
• Light truck ban
• Reckless Driving
• Unregistered motor vehicle
• Driving without license
• Tricycle ban
• Obstruction
• Dress code for motorcycle
• Overloading
• Defective motorcycle accessories
• Unauthorized modification
• Arrogance/Discourteous conduct (driver)
• Loading and Unloading in Prohibited Zones
• Illegal counterflow
• Overspeeding
• The fines for these 20 violations range from P500 to P5,000.

The following special laws will also be implemented in the region:

• Seat Belts Use Act of 1999
• Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act
• Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmet Act
• Children's Safety on Motorcycle Act
• Anti-Distracted Driving Act

—VAL, GMA Integrated News