The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will roll-out automated ticketing system in all ports by next year, with bidding for its Unified Electronic Ticketing System slated before 2020 ends.
The number of the automated ticketing machines to be installed will depend on the passenger traffic of each port terminal.
The Unified Electronic Ticketing System, equipped with an electronic reservation and ticketing assistant, will reduce human-to-human transactions to comply with the ‘new normal’ to curb COVID 19.
Last week, the PPA did a test run of the system at the Port of Calapan, Mindoro.
The new ticketing system will also eradicate fixing and ticket scalping as well as improve port processes for maritime safety and security.
The online application procedure will likewise support an integrated vessel booking and payment system for roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) ports.
Using desktop computers or mobile gadgets, such as mobile phones, passengers can reserve, book, and pay for tickets online.
Should passengers have no access online, they can directly buy their tickets using the automated ticket vending machines to be located in all PPA-managed ports nationwide.
Fixers and scalpers cannot sell tickets at higher prices as valid government-issued IDs will be required prior to booking, according to PPA General Manager Daniel Jay Santiago.
This will prevent overbooking and overloading of passengers as well.
Seating capacity per vessel in the online system will be based on the authorized number of passengers per vessel by approved by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
The PPA will coordinate with Marina to ensure that the maximum number of passengers available in the online system will follow social distancing protocols.
In addition, the system will reduce the expenses of shipping companies and help them in the proper filing of taxes.
Finally, the PPA assured port employees there will be no lay-offs even if the Unified Electronic Ticketing System goes online.
PPA personnel will still man help and public assistance desks to assist passengers on their ticketing concerns, such as cancellation of trips and refunds.