MMDA to pilot test STS e-ticketing in July

Single Ticketing System handheld devices to be fielded in July

Back in January, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) started the field testing of their electronic ticketing (e-ticket) handheld devices which would allow the agency to issue traffic citation tickets and upload the traffic violator’s details in the computer database, in real-time.

The Metropolitan Development Authority will be soon fielding its own e-ticketing devices in accordance with the Metro Manila Single Ticketing System (STS) which was approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) last February.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said that the first batch of handheld ticketing devices have 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 [2023]. 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.

The handheld ticketing devices could 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 the vehicle registration is suspended, canceled, or has an existing alarm, accept cashless payments of fines, among others.

This development on the STS was one of the topics discussed during the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting held on June 15, 2023.  Present during the meeting were San Juan City Mayor and MMC President Francis Zamora, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, and Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval.

He further said that the agency requested the supplier to equip the device with a dual sim 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. The STS enables interconnectivity among government agencies involved in traffic management through a single system of fines and penalties.

It also aimed to help cut red tape, limit opportunities for corruption and eradicate forms of negotiations between the motorist and the apprehending officer.