47 bids submitted for 700 taxi licenses, new fleet expected by 2027

[Photo: Renato Marques]

The public tender for 14 eight-year taxi licenses covering 700 conventional taxis opened yesterday, with 47 bids submitted. The Transport Bureau (DSAT) expects the new vehicles to be introduced in stages between the second and third quarters of 2027.

According to the tender documents, the assessment criteria place emphasis on licenses premiums, operational rollout plans, and the proportion of locally employed administrative staff.

While the eligibility requirements remain largely unchanged from the 2023 tender, new requirements include mandatory participation in an authority-approved e-hailing platform, additional guarantees, and updated deadlines for stamp duty payments.

A total of 47 bids were submitted in the latest tender, with each successful bidder eligible to obtain licenses for up to 50 taxis. The fleet must comprise six-seater or larger hybrid or alternative-energy vehicles, all equipped to accept electronic payments. Each licenses holder must also operate at least two vehicles accessible to passengers with reduced mobility.

In the previous 2023 tender, which offered 10 eight-year taxi licenses, DSAT received 40 bids, with 21 approved and 19 rejected. Individual bids ranged from MOP2.5 million to MOP3.8 million.

DSAT said Macau currently has 1,553 taxis, with around 303 licenses due to expire in 2028. “After today’s tender opening, we will carry out an evaluation and announce the results. Successful bidders will then need to prepare for operations, and we expect the new vehicles to be rolled out in the second or third quarter of 2027,” a DSAT official said.

The bureau added that the latest tender is mainly intended to replenish the taxi fleet and offset upcoming licenses expirations.

The new tender also introduces a requirement for successful bidders to join an authority-recognized online booking platform.

DSAT previously announced plans to amend the “Legal System for the Operation of Light-Duty Rental Vehicles” to establish a legal framework for app-based taxi services. The bureau said it aims to develop a technology-driven dispatch system under appropriate government oversight, which could improve supply-demand matching, reduce empty cruising, increase response efficiency, and enhance public transport services.

The bureau said it has collected feedback from the taxi industry, relevant associations, and advisory bodies, and is reviewing the opinions as part of the legislative revision process.

Meanwhile, a civic leader, as reported by public broadcaster TDM, suggested that the government work with the taxi sector to create a unified ride-hailing platform for all taxis in Macau. The proposal aims to integrate industry resources and prevent drivers from having to use multiple platforms simultaneously. The civic leader said: “Drivers may have to place three phones on the dashboard and keep switching between platforms just to check for ride requests.”