A double-decker bus in Macau, circa 1970
Authorities might consider reinstating the operation of double-decker buses on the roads to address the mounting desire for public transportation, stated Cheng Chong Fai, president of the Public Utilities Concern Association of Macau.
His suggestion, which was made Sunday after a forum exploring bus service quality, attracted favorable comments from another two guests afterwards. Cheng expressed his belief that having buses with a larger capacity was at least the “most effective and immediate” solution to the current traffic predicament.
Such an initiative re-emerged as early as the time when former Transport Bureau head Wong Wan assumed office, claimed Cheng. Besides, the possible physical challenges against dual-level bus operation could easily be resolved if the government
made concerted efforts.
Roy Lam, Vice President of the Choi In Tong Sam Association, found the advice feasible as the interior of this sort of bus could be more “pleasant” than the existing single-deckers. Another supporter is Prof. Kou Kun Pang, a consultant to the authorities on transportation who said the government could pursue the project given its bigger size.
However, both admitted to the geographic constraints double-decker buses might encounter, suggesting having a pilot implementation process for particular routes.
Up to 11 double-decker buses hailing from England were used on the region’s roads as major forms of public transport between 1975 and 1988. Such buses were around 14 feet high with 73 seats and were phased out after strong opposition from the business sector and the bus operator Transmac, which was founded in 1988. AU
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