The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will soft launch the actual use of the handheld ticketing devices in July as part of the implementation of the Single Ticketing System (STS) in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The STS is a unified system of traffic violation fines and penalties for all cities and municipalities in Metro Manila. It was approved by the Metro Manila Council, composed of Metro Manila mayors, on February 2023.
The STS aims to harmonize the existing national and local laws on traffic enforcement and to establish effective transport and traffic management in the region. It also allows motorists to settle their penalties anywhere, regardless of where they were apprehended within NCR.
Handheld ticketing devices are gadgets that will enable traffic enforcers to issue tickets electronically and reduce human intervention. They can also 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 vehicle registration is suspended, canceled, or has an existing alarm, and accept cashless payments of fines, among others.
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said that the first batch of handheld ticketing devices has already been delivered and customized for use by five local government units (LGUs), namely: San Juan, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque, and Caloocan.
“There will be a soft launch on the first or second week of July. We will also invite the supplier as we want to address the possible flaws or glitches in the implementation of the STS,” said Artes, during a press briefing at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City today.
He further said that the agency requested the supplier to equip the device with a dual SIM slot to avoid poor signal reception.
Artes also mentioned that the agency will train the traffic enforcers this month.
“The training is scheduled on June 27. We want them to get familiar with the proper use of the handheld ticketing devices,” Artes said.
Before its regionwide implementation, the STS will run a pilot program in seven cities. These are San Juan, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Manila, and Caloocan.
The STS covers common traffic violations such as disregarding traffic signs, illegal parking, number coding scheme violation, truck ban, reckless driving, tricycle ban, obstruction, dress code for motorcycles, overloading, defective motor vehicle accessories, unauthorized modifications, arrogance/discourteous conduct, loading, and unloading in prohibited zones, illegal counterflow, overspeeding, failure to use a seatbelt or child restraint system (CRS), no motorcycle helmet or helmet with no ICC markings, and violation of Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act.
For more information about the STS and its fines and penalties, visit https://www.technobaboy.com/2023/02/09/mmc-single-ticketing-system-ncr-q1-2023-new-traffic-violation-fines/.
Source and Image: MMDA Facebook
