Planned community shuttle buses seen boosting economy despite unclear traffic impact

Macau authorities have drafted a plan to introduce community shuttle buses during the upcoming May Day Golden Week and on weekends, a move that a Transport Advisory Committee member said may not clearly ease or worsen traffic congestion but is expected to stimulate the local economy.

The local government plans to extend casino shuttle bus services operated by integrated resort operators to the communities of ZAPE, the city’s central district, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia and Tamagnini Barbosa during the May Day Golden Week and the following weekend. The initiative aims to direct tourist traffic into historic districts and boost the local economy.

The disclosed plan indicates that three community routes are being prepared in the first phase, with expectations that the transport links will increase local consumption and help balance tourist distribution between major resort areas and historic districts.

In an interview with a Chinese-language media outlet, Transport Advisory Committee member Ip Wai Keong addressed potential traffic pressure from shuttle buses entering residential areas, noting that during previous long holidays, tourists tended to concentrate in a few hotspots, overburdening public bus services.

He said the new measure would function as a dedicated shuttle service, picking up passengers at tourist hubs and popular attractions and transporting them between recreational facilities and scenic spots, thereby freeing up bus capacity to prioritize the daily travel needs of residents and students.

However, he added that while he could not be certain whether the measure would alleviate overall traffic congestion, diverting passengers through dedicated shuttle routes would reduce the need for additional public bus trips. With fewer buses on the road, traffic would naturally flow more smoothly. At the same time, he described the policy as “positive,” saying shuttle buses connecting communities with popular attractions could channel tourist traffic into local neighborhoods and stimulate the local economy.

Call for casino points to work in community stores

A report published by Exmoo last week also included suggestions from a Chamber of Commerce representative calling for a three-way collaboration among government, businesses and the public to boost the local economy.

Lei Cheok Kuan, president of the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Central and Southern Districts, noted that while tourists concentrate spending at the city’s six integrated resorts (IRs), driving up overall gross domestic product (GDP), local businesses have not benefited.

He suggested that integrated resort operators extend their casino loyalty programs to be interoperable with local businesses, allowing members to redeem rewards at community shops. Alternatively, tourists who spend in local districts could use receipts to accumulate points in leisure enterprise loyalty accounts, redeeming souvenirs or cultural products once a threshold is met.

Such a system, he said, would create mutual benefits and fulfill the commitment to channel non-gaming resources into the community.