AL PLENARY | Gov’t slammed over public transportation

There are simply not enough buses. And upon reaching some of the bus stops, they’re already overcrowded.  Residents living in Seac Pai Van often face challenges in getting a bus, sparking clashes between drivers and passengers, lawmakers recalled in yesterday’s Legislative Assembly plenary meeting.
This matter has reappeared in recent discussions, as lawmakers questioned the government on its policy to provide residents with an improved public bus system.
A spoken enquiry delivered by legislator Au Kam San prompted further discussion on a matter that has been deemed one of Macau residents’ greatest concerns.
The deputy director of the Transport Bureau (DSAT), Chiang Ngoc Vai, recognized that there are particular bus stops with a greater inflow of passengers, which makes it difficult for residents to even board vehicles.
He stressed that they are working closely with casino operators, which are now providing transportation for their workers. In addition, the government pledged to introduce more buses, as well as a new night bus when the Hengqin border starts operating full time.
Still, lawmakers have raised criticisms on a number of issues, urging the government to adjust bus timetables as well as to reconsider the whole public bus scheme.
“With this new public bus scheme, did [the government] achieve its goals and come up with flexible [bus] routes? In Seac Pai Van, residents complain of a lack of sufficient buses and of bus frequency,” lawmaker Au Kam San recalled.
Chiang Ngoc Vai stated that with the new bus scheme, it is easier for passengers to commute and change buses which are run by different operators.
In addition, he recalled that New Era, the company that took over Reolian’s operation, can adjust departure times from each bus stop more flexibly, while modifying bus schedules to meet passengers’ needs.
But lawmakers have questioned why the other two operators have to endure a more bureaucratic procedure if they wish to adjust their routes or to increase bus shifts.
“I have already been at the Border Gate trying to get a bus, and been unable to get into one, because it’s already overcrowded. By the second or third stop, nobody can get in,” José Pereira Coutinho said. “And the new operator [New Era] is more flexible, but what about the others?” he questioned.
Lawmaker Lei Cheng I also questioned the administration on whether it will be possible for the other two operators, TCM and Transmac, to provide more flexibility when it comes to bus schedules and shifts. “It’s not enough that one operator is more flexible. The other two have also to [increase bus shifts] as well,” she said.
DSAT’s deputy director replied that when New Era and the government signed the contract, it allowed the new operator to increase bus shifts by simply calling DSAT.  Other operators, conversely, have to go through a more complex process. Nevertheless, he reiterated that the authority is seeking to adjust TCM and Transmac’s contracts, making them “more similar” and allowing them to operate under more “flexible” rules, similar to those of New Era. “We are hoping to reach consensus soon,” he stressed.
Mr Chiang also revealed that the government is coordinating with the three bus operators to improve the quality of bus drivers training.
He recognizes that Macau’s public transportation system faces challenges, with about 80,000 passengers using buses daily.  As such, he acknowledged that the government is committed to improving the situation, namely in the Seac Pai Van area. “We have already increased the number of buses to Seac Pai Van and will continue to do so, although we know the influx of passengers is huge,” he added.
Lawmakers recalled that passengers often feel frustrated towards Macau’s public transportation system, as they find it difficult to even get into a bus during peak hour times.
They argued that Macau’s citizens are constantly criticizing the public bus system, and the situation often incites clashes between passengers and drivers.
“Delays on buses have sparked a lot of conflict in our society. There’s a lot of skirmishes between drivers and passengers,” lawmaker Song Pek Kei recalled.
Other lawmakers pointed out that bus accidents have increased, and there are not enough qualified drivers.
Legislator Zheng Anting worries that when the Hengqin border starts operating around the clock as of December 18, transportation and mobility in Macau will worsen. “The border will be opened 24h per day. How are we going to improve Macau’s bus services?” Mr Chiang assured that there will be an overall increase of buses going to the Hengqin border, and at least one more night bus will be added.

Electoral corruption cases said to have declined

A government representative told lawmakers yesterday that the number of electoral corruption cases has declined. In addition, a spoken enquiry delivered by lawmaker Leong Veng Chai sparked discussion on how Macau could promote and achieve ‘clean elections.’
The government assured legal professionals that with the revision of the electoral law, penalties for electoral corruption cases have increased, and “illegalities declined.”
The government’s point of view, however, failed to convince some of the legislators, namely José Pereira Coutinho. “I cannot accept that you’re assuring [us] that the number of corruption cases dropped, because that’s not what has been seen in previous elections,” he said.
Lawmaker Coutinho urged the government to revise the electoral law again, while also reinforcing the importance of civic education activities to further young people’s knowledge of Macau’s electoral process. Alongside legislators Ng Kuok Cheong and Au Kam San, he further urged the government to release the Electoral Commission’s report on last year’s elections for the Legislative Assembly.
Lawmaker Au Kam San also raised doubts regarding the alleged decline in electoral corruption cases.  He stated that although the government asserts that fewer illegal campaign activities were recorded, “the population believes that electoral corruption has [actually] intensified.” He added that “the government needs to provide a clear answer on this matter.”
A government representative said that Macau’s administration pays close attention to this matter and is willing to work on improving electoral laws in the future.
Regarding the report on last year’s elections, he stressed that it is an internal document, which the government will take into consideration when revising electoral procedures in the future.
The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) director, Leong Lai, stated that her department has been promoting the Basic Law in Macau’s schools, while also organizing simulations of election days, so that students know more about Macau’s electoral system. CP