Bus operators renewed for six years with LRT transfer requirements

Macau’s two bus operators have been granted six-year contract extensions, with new terms requiring greener fleets and greater coordination with the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system, following the expiration of their existing contracts at the end of the year.

Under the new contracts, effective January 1, all newly registered operational vehicles must be new-energy vehicles with low-floor designs and step-free boarding at the doors. Vehicles with more than two doors may have additional steps at the rear door.

By January 1, 2030, the operators – Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau, S.A. (TCM) and Transportes Urbanos de Macau S.A.R.L. (Transmac) – must ensure that at least 5% of their fleets, excluding range-extended electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity. This requirement will rise to at least 10% by January 1, 2032.

Regarding LRT integration, the operators must propose route adjustments, bus stop numbers and locations, vehicle types, service hours and frequencies, with the aim of improving public transport services and coordinating bus operations with the LRT system where applicable. They must also provide LRT transfer services, with specific transfer arrangements, ticketing requirements and conditions to be determined by the supervisory body.

On smart transport, the operators must provide suitable spaces and cabling in vehicles to accommodate potential smart bus equipment, including satellite navigation, touchscreen displays, onboard units, passenger flow monitoring, assistance devices for visually impaired passengers, and image recognition and data collection equipment.