The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to hold a dry run for the implementation of the single ticketing system in the first or second week of April.
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said that seven local government units in Metro Manila have expressed their readiness for the dry run which includes San Juan, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Manila and Caloocan.
“The single ticketing system across Metro Manila is nearing full implementation. There is a need to conduct a dry run to increase public awareness,” Artes said during the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting held today at the MMDA’s New Head Office in Julia Vargas, Pasig City.
To recall, local chief executives of Metro Manila have adopted the single ticketing system through the approval of the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 which provides for a system of interconnectivity among government instrumentalities involved in the transport and traffic management in the metropolis with harmonized fines and penalties.
Artes added that the Land Transportation Office drafted a memorandum of agreement regarding interconnectivity with LGUs and data privacy agreement.
“LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jay Art Tugade has committed to submit the MOA tomorrow,” he added.
MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, for his part, stressed the importance of a single ticketing system.
“The implementation of the single ticketing system will highly benefit our motorists because they have the option to pay thru online channels for their violations,” Zamora said.
Under the single ticketing system, it will be easier for traffic violators in the National Capital Region to settle their penalties through Bayad Centers all over the country or through mobile apps.
Present during the meeting are mayors Vico Sotto of Pasig, Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa, Weslie Gatchalian of Valenzuela, Emi Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay, Jeannie Sandoval of Malabon, and Miguel “Ike” Ponce III of Pateros.
Meanwhile, amid the impending weeklong transport strike, the MMDA chief also hinted at the possibility of lifting the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding scheme on Monday, March 6.
“The MMDA will deploy buses to ferry stranded passengers should the transport strike push through next week. We shall coordinate with the Department of Transportation and Department of Interior and Local Government on the matter. We will make an announcement regarding the possible suspension of the number coding scheme tomorrow, March 3,” Artes noted.
The transport strike, which will start on March 6 until March 12, is set by transportation groups to express opposition to the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program.
