MMDA launches e-tags for PUVs

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched yesterday its electronic tagging scheme for public utility vehicles (PUVs) plying Metro Manila routes.

Milagros Silvestre, head of the MMDA’s Organized Bus Route department, told reporters the MMDA has given operators of buses, jeepneys, taxis and Asian Utility Vehicles (AUVs) from Jan. 16 to April 15, 2013 to have their units tagged with the radio frequency identification devices (RFID) chips, which cost P500 each.

Using the RFID technology, traffic enforcers could easily detect which buses or other PUVs are unregistered by simply “tagging” vehicles with RIFD chips using handheld scanners. Traffic enforcers could get information from the chip such as the vehicle’s owner or operator and the vehicle’s registration background.

The system is also useful in regulating PUVs in loading and unloading stations, where each bus will only be given 25 seconds by traffic enforcers to load and unload passengers. RFID readers will be installed in loading and unloading areas to detect overstaying PUVs.

This, in turn, will generate a report to the MMDA database, allowing authorities to issue traffic violation receipts to erring PUVs.

Silvestre said the MMDA is eyeing the purchase of 60 handheld scanners and 26 fixed readers that will be installed at strategic intersections such as along Shaw Boulevard.