Our Desk | On the lack of quality drivers

Lynzy Valles

The SAR finally implemented its planned increase in public bus fares on Saturday after a series of controversies regarding “positive discrimination”, which would affect non-residents as it requires them to pay more for public transportation.

Initially, the proposal was for non-locals to pay different fares from locals when using Macau Pass. The idea was to reduce the share of the government’s subsidy, as bus fares have not been updated for a decade.

It was previously announced that the government subsidies for three bus operators exceeded MOP1 billion last year, hence the need to increase fares and reduce the expenditure by MOP200 million or MOP300 million.

Nevertheless, the final decision on bus fares requires passengers to pay MOP6 for all routes, while Macau Pass holders will still benefit from discounts.

However, given that the SAR is cutting subsidies for these bus operators, the public is still in need of a quality public transportation system.

Just this month, an elderly man was involved in a fatal traffic accident when a bus hit him at a pedestrian crossing.

Back in January, another bus driver “mistakenly stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake” and killed an elderly woman, also while using a pedestrian crossing.

That same month, the Transport Bureau (DSAT) declared that it would reduce the number of bus accidents by 10 percent, and informed the press that it is conducting a “comprehensive review of training and management” with the three bus companies.

Although DSAT had requested bus companies to review existing safety management and systems, as well as submit improvement plans, the public has yet to be updated on the progress of these measures.

Just last year, government data recorded eight fatalities related to traffic accidents.

These incidents should not be occurring in the city, but Macau has a number of poorly trained drivers who fall short of safety standards.

Whether it’s speaking rudely to tourists who are a bit confused about bus fares or shouting and embarrassing passengers who missed one pataca on their fares, we need drivers who can be a bit more compassionate to passengers – in order to give a better impression of a so-called “world center of tourism and leisure.”

What’s more, they step on the accelerator for a sudden burst of speed while an elderly woman is still trying to find her way to the red priority seats, or while a mother with two children is figuring out where to sit.

Some buses even stop over a hundred meters away from the designated stop – particularly during peak hours – and expect passengers to make a run for it.

As insignificant as it seems, the need for public bus drivers who are professionally trained – or someone who is brave enough to show a bit of kindness to everyday commuters – should not be understated.

The SAR already lacks public bus drivers, let alone good drivers.

Urban mobility isn’t much of a problem given the ease of getting from one place to another in the city, so taking a public bus – for some – is just a last resort.

With the nearly 50 percent hike in bus fares, I hope this somehow raises operators’ standards for their drivers and ensures the safety of commuters.

The issue lies more with the improvement of public transportation in the city, rather than the hike in transportation fares.

Residents have already had plenty of harsh experiences in taxis, and facing the same issue with public transportation is too much to bear.