IT took a long gestation period — almost three decades — before government officials and stakeholders handling traffic and land transportation in Metro Manila were able to launch the standardized traffic citation system, otherwise known as the single ticketing system, for motorists who violate traffic rules.
Through the years, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) which handles traffic in the National Capital Region has initiated reforms which redounded to better traffic management and convenience to motorists.
One of these reforms is the use of traffic lights with numbers designating the seconds left before the traffic light changes. This innovation, implemented by the MMDA when Sen. Francis Tolentino was chairman, is still in use today and has proven to be a reliable guide for motorists who value safety and respect for traffic rules.
‘We hope that more cities will join the single ticketing system and that its testing phase will succeed, so that Metro Manilans will benefit from the return of order in the streets.
According to Metro Manila Council (MMC) Chairman Francis Zamora, also mayor of San Juan City, seven cities out of 17 cities and municipality have agreed to participate in the project’s pilot testing, which will start on May 2. These are Manila, Quezon City, San Juan, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa and Parañaque. Good things are indeed long and hard to come by, and many are happy that the one ticketing system happened under the leadership of Mayor Zamora, MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes and Secretary Benhur Abalos of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Aside from the standard fines, erring motorists can pay the fines outright, using their e-wallets and other digital payment platforms. This will save time and effort on the part of motorists.
The MMDA announced that the following traffic violations are included in the single ticketing system:
“Disregarding traffic sign, illegal parking both attended and unattended, violation of number coding, truck ban, reckless driving, tricycle ban, obstruction, dress code for motorcycles, overloading
Defective motor vehicle accessories, unauthorized modification, arrogance/discourteous conduct, loading and unloading zone in prohibited zones, illegal counterflow and overspeeding.
Illegal counterflow, unauthorized modification, truck ban, illegal parking for unattended cars and reckless driving.”
Another thing going for this new traffic scheme is that violators need not surrender their licenses. The MMDA traffic enforcers will have handheld devices which accept payment from erring motorists.
We hope that more cities will join the single ticketing system and that its testing phase will succeed, so that Metro Manilans will benefit from the return of order in the streets.
