Lawmakers call on gov’t to address ‘chronic’ transport issues

Lawmakers are calling on the government to take urgent action to address the city’s mounting transport challenges, characterized by chronic bus overcrowding, outdated regulations and insufficient infrastructure. The calls come amid record-breaking bus ridership and growing concerns over service quality and staff welfare.

In an interpellation to the government, lawmaker José Pereira Coutinho labeled Macau’s bus overcrowding a “chronic problem,” worsened during concerts and major events.

“Buses operate at full capacity yet fail to meet demand, leading to unbearable wait times and packed rides,” he said. Taxi shortages, particularly on weekends, further strain residents and tourists, damaging Macau’s reputation as a top travel destination.

Coutinho also drew attention to the need to update the current regulatory credentials for motor vehicle rentals in Macau.

The lawmaker described 40-year-old car rental regulations as “out of touch” with modern tourism needs. The regulation was drafted at a time “when the volume of visitors and the dynamics of mobility were substantially different,” making it “crucial” that the legislation be adjusted to current circumstances.

According to Coutinho, “The restriction stifles economic synergy with Hengqin, a vital growth zone for economic and tourist development.”

He highlighted the counterproductive ban on rental cars entering Hengqin, calling for reforms aligned with international models to boost economic synergy and visitor mobility.

Transparency concerns were also raised by the lawmaker regarding the government’s recent authorization of GC-plated cross-border vehicles. Coutinho requested clearer communication about approval criteria and operational rules to “build public trust.”

In a related spoken interpellation, lawmaker Ella Lei highlighted the pressure on Macau’s public transport system.

In the first quarter of 2025, Lei stated, bus passenger numbers hit a record 628,600 daily, a 2.51% increase from the previous year. She also addressed narrow roads and congested stops in Macau’s old neighborhoods, which cause slow bus circulation and service delays, especially during peak hours and holidays.

The lawmaker cited the recent May 1 Golden Week, when traffic congestion from Porto Interior to Almeida Ribeiro and Praça de Ferreira do Amaral resulted in “bus paralysis.” Lei stated, “Without expanding the road network, even with more buses, the situation persists.”

“Road expansion on the Macau Peninsula has been limited — with less than five kilometers added over the past decade.” While acknowledging that such projects would take time to complete, Lei urged the government to explore building outer ring roads, diversion viaducts and rapid public transport systems, including the proposed western LRT line, to create a more efficient circular network.

Concern for frontline bus staff facing rising work pressure was also expressed by Lei. She called for improved labor protections, better working conditions and enhanced safety measures. She questioned how authorities plan to address driver fatigue, promote public transport etiquette and upgrade bus waiting facilities to ensure a safe and friendly environment for passengers and workers alike.

Last week, Lei, alongside the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) and the Macau Federation of Transportation, visited the Labor Affairs Bureau (DSAL), where representatives called for stronger government supervision and tougher penalties to combat illegal employment and the use of cross-border drivers in the city’s transportation sector.

During these discussions with DSAL, challenges in monitoring a highly mobile workforce and the negative impact of illegal workers on local drivers’ wages and job opportunities were highlighted.

Increased penalties, improved law enforcement and the creation of anonymous reporting channels to protect whistleblowers were also raised.