Gov’t to sign new contract with TCM

The Transport Bureau has announced that it will be signing a new contract with bus operator TCM very soon. DSAT did not disclose an official date for the signing ceremony.
According to a notice published by the government’s Official Gazette (BO), the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosário, will be representing the government as one of the parties in the contract.
Authorities have been negotiating a new public bus operation model with TCM and Transmac, since the Commission of Audit released a report expressing criticism over DSAT’s handling of public bus operations. According to the report, which was released in 2013, DSAT had failed in its mission to ensure that bus operators provide services to a high standard, and to properly manage the accounts.
The government then decided to review the contracts of both operators to introduce a new public bus scheme incorporating suggestions provided by the Commission of Audit.
DSAT revealed in a statement yesterday that negotiations with TCM proved successful and that the bus operation mechanism is similar to the one discussed and implemented with New Era. DSAT acknowledged however that there are differences between the two contracts, namely on the concession period, and the maximum government financial support that has been allocated.
DSAT said that specific contract terms will be disclosed in a timely manner.
The bureau said that it is still holding talks with Transmac, and will make an effort to conclude negotiations as soon as possible.