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The Philippine Ports Authority is pilot-testing an online system that allows passengers to reserve vessel booking in order to reduce uncertainties in securing tickets and reduce queueing of passengers at the ports, especially during peak seasons
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The Online Reservation Assistance System or ORAS is a system developed in-house by PPA to provide an electronic reservation and queuing mechanism that allows users to secure a scheduled slot prior to proceeding to the port, reducing the need for users to physically line up or wait at the terminal
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The new system is being pilot-tested in two ports–Lucena and Batangas
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ORAS is not a ticketing but a reservation system and shipping lines using their own ticketing systems need not join ORAS
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is pilot-testing an online system that allows passengers to reserve vessel booking designed to to reduce uncertainties in securing tickets and shorten queues at the ports, especially during peak seasons.
The Online Reservation Assistance System or ORAS is a system developed in-house by PPA to provide an electronic reservation and queuing mechanism that allows users to secure a scheduled slot prior to proceeding to the port. It will officially go live either on March 25 or March 26.
ORAS is intended to reduce the need for users to physically line up or wait at the terminal, prevent overcrowding and disorderly queues, and ensure the orderly, efficient, and systematic processing of reservations and related services.
“What we’re trying to solve here is the perennial problem which we’ve been seeing in the ports during peak seasons–passengers go to the ports without tickets; they line for hours with the hope of securing a seat on the next available vessel,” PPA assistant general manager for operations Mark Jon Palomar said in a press briefing on March 24.
“ORAS changes that. It introduces structure, predictability, and fairness into the system. Our passengers will no longer need to gamble their time and comfort just to secure a ticket,” he added.
Palomar noted though that ORAS is not a ticketing but a reservation system that ensures passengers a slot in their selected shipping schedule.
Moreover, shipping lines using their own ticketing systems need not join ORAS.
The new system is being pilot-tested in two ports–Lucena and Batangas. Palomar said PPA had met with 16 shipping lines with voyages in these ports, as well as with the Maritime Industry Authority, which he said will be issuing an order to carriers for the use of the system.
Currently, routes to and from Batangas port include Calapan, Abra de Ilog, Balatao, Odiongan, Romblon, Culasi, and Coron. For Lucena port, there are voyages to and from Romblon, Balanacan, and Masbate.
Shipping lines will be providing PPA with the number of slots that they can include for reservation through ORAS. Roll-on/roll-off slots are, however, not included.
PPA said there are three steps to reserve a slot through ORAS–scan, choose, and reserve.
Passengers can scan the QR code to access the system, then select their port, trip schedule, and travel details, and then confirm the reservation and save the ORAS pass. The use of the system is free of charge.
The ORAS pass should be presented to the port and the shipping line’s ticketing booth to get their ticket. Passengers with ORAS Pass must arrive at the port at least three hours prior to their departure time to purchase the ticket from the shipping line, otherwise their reserved slot will be opened.
Aside from the QR code that will be available through PPA’s social media platforms and terminals, passengers can also access ORAS through its website, https://oras.ppa.com.ph.
PPA have also set help desks in the pilot ports to assist passengers who want to book reservations through ORAS. Priority lanes will be provided for senior citizens, persons with disability, and pregnant women.
“With the cooperation of the DOTr [Department of Transportation], Maritime Industry Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard, and our shipping lines partners, we are confident that ORAS will significantly improve the travel experience of the Filipino people,” Palomar said.
“It’s not just a digital platform, it’s a shift toward a more organized, efficient, and passenger-centered maritime transport system,” he added.
