Casinos requested to provide transportation for migrant employees

The government has requested the six casino operators in Macau to take responsibility for their own migrant workers’ daily commutes, in order to ease the pressure on public transportation and the traffic near the Border Gate.
The Secretary for Transport and Public Works revealed that so far only two operators, namely SJM and Melco Crown, have agreed to transfer their staff from the Lotus Bridge Cotai Frontier Port, while the government is still expecting positive responses from the other operators.
The Transport Bureau director Wong Wan said that SJM and Melco are scheduled to start the measures respectively from April 21 and May 1, but some operators are still delaying their response.
Lawmaker Lei Cheng I suggested to the secretary that the government has reason to take a stronger approach than negotiation, where it should directly urge the casino operators to take responsibility for their migrant workers’ accommodation and commuting.
Meanwhile, regarding lawmakers’ request to regulate the casino shuttle buses, Rosário said it is a complicated matter and nobody knows exactly how many casino buses are running in Macau. He said the issue won’t be put as priority of their work, whereas the LRT problems and the Pac On Ferry Terminal construction will be tackled first.
In addition, the secretary said the government is negotiating with public bus service operators to revise their contracts; it also plans to encourage more use of natural gas and electric buses and cars.
Raimundo do Rosário also revealed that the government intends to introduce new types of public housing options, in order to benefit different communities including youths who can’t afford to purchase private properties, newly-weds, and people with middle-level income.