Groups call for ban on tour buses around St Paul’s Ruins

Local scholar and civil group leader Agnes Lam has stated her belief that tour coaches should be prevented from dropping off or picking up passengers in the area around St. Paul’s Ruins, according to a report by Jornal Cheng Pou.
Recently, a serious accident involving a tour bus took place near St. Paul’s Ruins. In Lam’s words, the dropping off or picking up of passengers should be done at the Inner Harbour or at the Tap Seac Square. By doing so, Lam believes that the traffic will be relieved around St. Paul’s. The scholar also remarked that any government that cares about the protection of tourism sites should require  travelers to visit those places on foot.
The Central District Advisory Committee for Community Services recently discussed the requirement issued to the government to devise a schedule regarding the implementation of traffic regulations at the aforementioned area. The Committee called for a complete ban of tour buses entering core areas around the Ruins of St. Paul’s, upgrading the area’s pedestrian facilities, making use of the parking lots underneath the Tap Seac Square.
Meanwhile, it is expected that 10 out of the 11 injured tourists who have been hospitalized and cared for in the territory’s hospitals will be returning home this week, the Government Spokesperson Office said in a statement last Friday.
One victim is the exception, who was in critical condition and underwent a surgical operation for craniofacial trauma sustained from the accident. According to the same statement, this victim’s condition is considered stable, although she still needs life support equipment.
Regarding the condition of the Wa Keong Building, which was affected by the accident, representatives of the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) will meet with the owners of the units to deliver a preliminary proposal for the restoration of the building.  Staff reporters

Bus emits smoke during journey

On Friday, smoke was seen escaping from a bus during its journey through Avenida de Venceslau de Morais. Fifteen passengers were on the bus at the time the incident accurred, and are all safe, according to a report by Macao Daily News.
The driver spotted the smoke and immediately proceeded to park the vehicle, while firefighters were called. A preliminary investigation conducted by the Fire Service Bureau (CB) showed that a failure in one functionality linked to the rotation of the tires led to the smoke.
Similar incidents occurred in both January and July this year.  No injuries or deaths were recorded.