Free shuttle adds Macau-to-Cotai route in service expansion

The free shuttle bus service, launched earlier this year in collaboration with integrated resorts to connect hotels with community stops, has initially achieved expected results, authorities said yesterday, announcing that from Saturday the route will operate in both directions with the addition of a “Macau-to-Cotai” service.

As reported, the shuttle bus service comprises three thematic categories and six routes, operating on designated days and covering the Northern District, the ZAPE area, the Rua dos Ervanários neighbourhood in the central and southern district, and the Barra district.

Two routes remain in operation, running on weekends through July 26, with stops serving the Northern District, San Kio, Patane, and the Hong Kung Night Market area, as well as the Barra area and Anim’arte Nam Van.

According to authorities, effective this Saturday, the existing shuttle route operating primarily on a one-way Cotai-to-Macau basis will be reconfigured to a two-way operation model, introducing a Macau-to-Cotai direction while adding additional community drop-off points along the route.

The ZAPE route, which had previously been operational only during the Labor Day holiday period, will be upgraded to regular weekend service in order to stimulate pedestrian traffic around the Macau Grand Prix Museum and the Kun Iam Statue Waterfront Leisure Area.

Concurrently, the Hong Kung Night Market route will see its first daily departure shifted from weekend evenings to weekend afternoons, with the aim of attracting daytime sightseeing visitors to the Rua dos Ervanários neighborhood and surrounding community attractions.

In the press release issued yesterday, authorities indicated that by the end of May, nearly 10,000 passenger trips had been recorded across various bus stops, while the dedicated mobile information webpage registered over 14,000 clicks for related activity information. Furthermore, 11 promotional videos and 164 social media posts have been published, generating cumulative views exceeding 7.48 million.

The statement cited feedback from residents, merchants, and various sectors of society, noting that “overall operations have been smooth and orderly, initially achieving the expected results” and that “the overall response has been positive, with widespread recognition that the project has helped revitalize community economies, drive foot traffic, and promote interaction between tourists and local communities.”

Suggestions raised included the addition of popular stops, optimization of route frequencies and schedules, while emphasizing the need to balance tourism development with community carrying capacity.