Gov’t too slow in adjusting bus routes to the city’s developments: Ron Lam

Lawmaker Ron Lam has criticized the slow response of local authorities in adapting public transportation to the city’s development.

In a written inquiry submitted through the Legislative Assembly, the lawmaker noted that the Transport Bureau (DSAT) has not been responding quickly enough to city developments, namely the opening of the Elderly Residence in the Areia Preta District and the expected completion of several public housing estates in Zone A of the new landfills, among others.

Lam noted that while these developments are well known and take years from start to completion, the DSAT has not proactively begun studying plans to adjust or create new bus routes to serve these new locations, causing inconvenience for those who need to commute to or visit these areas.

The same lawmaker noted that Transport Committee members have long agreed on the need to optimize public transport in this area and suggested that the authorities pay attention to the impact of bus route adjustments on existing passengers and further improve bus service coverage.

“Macau’s bus routes have never been planned from a holistic perspective. Many routes were extended as the city expanded through land reclamation along its coastline, resulting in excessive overlap of bus routes in older areas and inadequate cross-district connectivity in newer areas,” Lam wrote, adding, “Macau’s narrow streets and heavy traffic exacerbate the issue of bus route overlap, leading to long queues at bus stops and frequent traffic congestion.”

Citing several examples, the lawmaker noted that planning bus routes and bus stops requires a complete revamp and thorough study to address the numerous existing problems and short-sighted solutions that have been implemented at times to solve immediate issues, which have resulted from inadequate planning.

The same lawmaker also noted that the Macau Land Transport Master Plan (2021–2030) mentions several measures to improve the public bus system. However, despite being midway through the plan’s duration, almost no progress has been made or announced regarding these expected improvements.

He remarked that with the current bus contract set to end next year (2026), time is already short to promote significant amendments, such as a study on route allocation and transfer arrangements with the Light Rapid Transit, as well as fare discounts and other measures related to connectivity and improving access to the old districts.

He also recalled that the government had previously announced its intention to utilize the idle land plot of the former Ocean World project in Taipa to establish parking facilities, taxi stands, and even bus stops, but once again, those plans seem to have remained only on paper and are taking too long to be put into practice.