Drivers request new laws to allow Uber’s operation

Five representatives of a Facebook group concerned with transportation in Macau delivered a letter to government headquarters yesterday. In the letter, they stated their expectation for the authority to establish laws to regulate Uber’s operation instead of kicking the company out of the territory.
One of the group members, surnamed Loi, an avowed frequent user of Uber, questioned the government: why not “change the laws or come out with new laws [to regulate the app-based taxi hailing industry]?”
Loi then voiced his opinion, saying, “it is not a matter of legal or illegal terms, it is a matter of the vacancy of laws.” He believes that Macau’s demand for Uber has been demonstrated by the public, who feel a strong need for Uber.
The purpose of yesterday’s activity was to call to “the government to think [about] things while placing itself in the people’s shoes,” as said by another speaker, surnamed Lau.
Recently, the government awarded Radio Taxi 100 special taxi licenses, which will enable the company to put new vehicles into service next year. However, this does not satisfy Lau, who explained that “adding more cars will add more burden to the region’s transportation system and [natural] environment.”
The letter, addressed to the Chief Executive, was signed by more than 2,000 drivers. In the letter, it is claimed that the request does not represent Uber, but professional drivers and local families.
Since Uber announced its departure from Macau, several groups have voiced their support for Uber, including one demonstration organized last Sunday. However, the authorities already stated that “such passenger transportation services [Uber] are unlicensed and were deemed illegal for operation in Macau. Some of the opinions expressed during the demonstration did not appear to take [into] account Macau’s existing legislation on passenger transportation services.”  Staff reporter

Radio Taxi director expects to change consumer habits

Cheong Chi Man, director of the Macau Radio Taxi Corporation, has revealed that the company’s most important goal is “to change Macau’s public transportation habits, and provide new services.” Cheong’s statement came out earlier this week, after Radio Taxi was awarded 100 special taxi licenses.
Cheong pointed out that his company has been sending employees to Singapore several times in order for them to learn from its taxi service of how to operate.
According to the director, all transport vehicles will begin operation next year, and will serve mostly local residents rather than tourists. The company is also planning on installing 40 to 50 taxi bays.
Moreover, Radio Taxi will provide an app-
based taxi service. When asked about whether such service will be better than Uber’s, Cheong replied, “we will be better than Uber for sure.”
Cheong believes that in the future more residents will stop driving their own cars to get to work, as it might turn out to be cheaper for them to take taxis if they choose car-pooling services, according to a report by Jornal Cheng Pou.