LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The implementation of a single ticketing system along major expressways in the different parts of the archipelago will definitely ensure efficient, easier and immediate access to various tourist destinations in the country, Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan said here recently.
Cosalan, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Public Works, branded the proposed single ticketing system in the collection of toll fees along expressways as motorist friendly and would result to the saving of travel from the points of origin to the points of destinations of the motorists.
“We should give the single ticketing system a try, especially along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) where there is only one concessionaire for the benefit of transparency,” Cosalan stressed.
He said motorists who are going on a vacation to the different parts of the country must not be made to suffer the inconveniences of time-consuming collection of toll fees along entrances of major expressways since the same will surely spoil their momentum to spend a well-deserved break in their desired vacation areas.
According to him, motorists could still take it lining up in the entrances of expressways to get their tickets and pay their toll fees but the same should not be repeated in the middle of their trip because it will spoil their break, thus, the need for the single ticketing system along the major expressways in the country.
The Benguet lawmaker underscored there is no longer need to pass the legislations for the purpose of legalizing the single ticketing system but instead, appropriate coordination must be done by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) with the toll operators in order to establish a system that will work for the benefit of the motorists once the system will be put in place.
“Motorists want smooth travel along our expressways that is why we should avoid multi- ticketing systems that would contribute to congestions in entrances and exits of our highways. There is nothing wrong if we give it a try,” Cosalan said.
He emphasized concerned government agencies must start initiating the implementation of the single ticketing system so that appropriate interventions and innovations could be done in order to help perfect the system and provide motorists with convenient travel to their desired destinations, especially during regular and special holidays as well as prolonged vacations.
According to him, motorists were able to experience the congestions at the NLEX, SCTEX and portions of the on-going Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) during the prolonged vacation last December and the declaration of a 5-day holiday in Metro Manila early January because of the various entrances and exits of the expressways thereby contributing to chaos.
He called on the concerned government agencies and toll operators to start experimenting the use of the single ticketing system along the three major expressways leading to the northern part of the country in preparation for the expected influx of people to Baguio City during the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the Holy Week break, and the summer months where they want to spend a break from the scorching heat of the sun in the lowlands. By Dexter A. See
