Single ticketing system: Key to better traffic management
It’s about time that there is a single ticketing system (STS) in traffic management in the National Capital Region which is composed of 16 cities and one municipality.
The STS aims to harmonize the “existing laws on traffic enforcement and management in Metro Manila, which includes standardizing the fines and penalties for common traffic violations and providing interconnectivity among government instrumentalities involved in transport and traffic management,” according to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 which was approved and adopted by the Metro Manila Council on Feb. 1, 2023, institutionalized the STS.
On March 4, the Supreme Court made public its decision that nullified the provisions in ordinances issued by 15 Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) which ordered the issuance of Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVRs) and confiscation of the licenses of drivers who violate traffic rules and regulations. The decision bars the Metro Manila LGUs from further issuing OVRs and confiscating drivers’ licenses unless their agents are deputized by the MMDA.
In its decision, the SC ruled that the provisions in the ordinances violate the mandate of the MMDA under Republic Act No. 7624 which gives the agency the “exclusive power to come up with policies concerning traffic in the metropolis and to coordinate and regulate the implementation of all programs and projects concerning traffic.”
The STS started as a pilot run in Manila, Parañaque, Quezon City, Caloocan, San Juan, Muntinlupa, and Valenzuela on May 2, 2023. Soon after, other cities and municipality also started implementing the STS, reports said.
Enforcement of traffic rules is a big factor in the effective management of traffic. The STS will ensure “interoperability and interconnectivity among government agencies” involved in traffic management. A significant benefit would be the availability of information on traffic movement, including violators, to all LGUs.
New technology will ensure the efficient implementation of the STS. The traffic enforcers deputized by the MMDA, shall carry a handheld device which they can use when apprehending traffic violators. The device can print citation tickets and can also show relevant information about the driver through his or her driver’s license, such as “validate and authenticate driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, check if the driver has demerit points or if his/her license or the vehicle registration is suspended, cancelled, or has an existing alarm.” The handheld device will also allow the traffic officer to accept cashless payments of fines.
Motorists are required to set an appointment to contest a violation by filing a protest or complaint via email or through the websites of the relevant agencies, through a standard protest mechanism.
Payment of fines can also be made online through the websites of the MMDA, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), or LGU that issued the citation ticket, or in person at their respective offices. Non-payment will put an alarm on the driver’s license or the vehicle involved in the violation.
Another item that may appear in one’s license are demerit points for every violation committed. “Depending on the number of demerit points accumulated, the driver’s license can be suspended, cancelled, or revoked. It can also be used to disqualify the driver from availing a 10-year license.
The demerit point attribution of the traffic violations shall be in accordance with the Violation-Demerit Point Schedule under the IRR of RA 10930 and its Supplemental Guidelines,” the MMDA advisory said.
Traffic violators shall be issued an UOVR (Unified Ordinance Violation Receipt) which will be recognized by the MMDA, the LTO and all LGU traffic operatives as a valid traffic citation receipt and temporary driver's license.
With the SC decision, it’s all systems go for the single ticketing system. We are all looking forward to better traffic management which will make way for faster traffic flow.