MTPA welcomes ‘massive public approval’ of new taxi regulations

The Macau Taxi Passengers Association (MTPA) said it is delighted at the Transport Bureau’s announcement yesterday that 97 percent of respondents to a public consultation voted in favor of introducing undercover inspectors in Macau’s taxi industry.
MTPA said in a press release that it welcomes the result of a public consultation launched by the Macau government upon revising taxi regulations.
MTPA’s president, Andrew W Scott, stated that “it is just plain common sense.” “With so many malicious, scamming, violent and aggressive taxi drivers on Macau’s roads, the government has a responsibility to protect both citizens and Macau visitors,” he added.
Mr Scott believes that undercover enforcement agents “are a great idea, as are higher fines, license suspension and cancellation for lawbreakers (…)”
An increase on taxi fares is also a positive change, MTPA believes. “We are also happy to see the proposed increase in taxi fares, but actually think the increase is not enough,” said Mr Scott, adding that Macau needs even higher fares “to combat the terribly unethical practice of ‘fishing,’ but only if the Transport Bureau, the police and the government all commit themselves to effective enforcement of taxi regulations.”
Mr Scott acknowledged that over 20,000 people responding to the public consultation is “an amazing number.” “Clearly this issue has touched a raw nerve with the people of Macau,” he stressed.
An MTPA petition on the same issue has also garnered people’s attention, since they now have over 2,300 genuine and verified signatures. The petition’s deadline has been set at November 30.
Mr Scott remarked that he was happy to hear DSAT acknowledging that the current taxi situation “is chaotic.” “A quick trip to watch the videos on our Facebook group will certainly confirm that,” he recalled.
The Macau Taxi Passengers Association operates the Macau Taxi Driver Shame Facebook group, which has reached over 4,300 members. CP