AUTOMATED ticketing systems will soon be implemented at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and in all ports nationwide.
The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, adopted a resolution authorizing Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to sign an agreement with Topline Hi-Tech Synergy Corp. for the rollout of a centralized automated ticketing system at the CSBT.
Under the resolution sponsored by PB Member Glenn Anthony Soco, Topline would design, supply, install, operate and maintain the system at CSBT.
The introduction of this system is part of the governor’s efforts to minimize human contact and reduce transmission of the infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“With the continued strict implementation of the health and safety protocols in the Province of Cebu, there is a need to modernize ticket purchase, passenger handling and management procedures through user-friendly technology that would help the bus terminal especially during peak hours when congestion is observed,” the resolution stated.
The resolution was approved almost a month after the Provincial Government held a Swiss challenge on Aug. 24, 2020 for Topline’s unsolicited proposal.
A Swiss challenge is a procurement process that allows other companies to bid for the project. No other companies, however, challenged Topline’s proposal.
Topline was declared the winning bidder for the project.
In a previous interview, Garcia said implementation of the project will be done gradually to allow passengers, especially the elderly, to familiarize themselves with the system first.
Hence, bus tickets would still be sold at the terminal during the first month of implementation aside from the smart cards that Topline will issue.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it is eyeing to roll out its automated ticketing system in all ports by 2021.
In a statement, PPA said the bidding for its unified electronic ticketing system will be held before the end of the year.
A demonstration and test run of the system was held on Sept. 18 at the Port of Batangas and Port of Calapan.
Using desktop computers or mobile phones, passengers can reserve, book, and pay for tickets online. Valid government-issued IDs will be required prior to booking.
Those without online access may buy their tickets through the ticket vending machines that will be installed in all PPA-managed ports.
The number of the automated ticketing machines to be installed will depend on the passenger traffic of each port terminal, the PPA said.
PPA General Manager Daniel Jay Santiago said the system will be equipped with an electronic reservation and ticketing assistant aimed at reducing human-to-human transactions to comply with the “new normal” protocols against the spread of Covid-19.
It is also designed to facilitate ease of doing business, remove fixing and ticket scalping, ensure maritime safety by preventing overbooking and overloading of passengers, and improve port processes.
The seating capacity per vessel in the online system will be based on the authorized number of passengers per vessel as approved by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
Santiago said physical distancing will be observed. (ANV with PR)