Real Estate Matters | The Challenges Of Getting Around In Macau

Juliet Risdon

In March last year we touched upon the serious challenges faced by Macau, and how these challenges will almost certainly affect property prices either directly or indirectly.

If growth in Macau is going to be sustainable in the long term, the transportation infrastructure, planning and execution will have to undergo a dramatic change to avoid Macau grinding to a complete halt.

At present, the only method of mass transportation is by bus. However, the buses have some major drawbacks;

They are often so crowded that they can’t stop at the designated bus stop without overloading

Driving standards leave a LOT to be desired. For example, bus drivers now have the habit of stopping on roundabouts to allow other buses to pull out. This is illegal elsewhere as it causes massive congestion issues. No vehicle should ever stop voluntarily on a roundabout. Police action ? Nothing.

Using the road system makes them slow and subject to the ever-increasing traffic jams that have now become a part of everyday life.

Buses fail to stop upon passenger requests. In the most recent incident I’m aware of, passengers screamed a bus driver to allow a teenager to disembark after missing two stops in a row.

OK, that’s the buses out. What about a taxi ?

Now rarer than an honest politician, the Macau taxi is an elusive creature that lurks in the shadows of casino departure areas, picking up its prey with surgical precision.

If you are lucky enough to spot one outside of its natural habitat, you will only attract it through a series of skillful maneuvers similar to those of a aged angler hunting a particular trout at dusk.

Then there’s the light rail system. ‘Hooray’ you say, ‘at last, a train’ !

However, before we kick-off the celebrations and wipe the beads of worry-induced sweat from our brows, lets take a closer look.

As written in March; Under construction, but already a point of ridicule in the community, the light rail has been handled in a manner that has left experienced engineers and railway contractors shaking their heads.

Upon inspection, the planned route of the light rail network is not designed to move locals around and reduce traffic. No, it’s designed for visitors.

Nevertheless, it must work for some Macau residents right ?

The rail network only covers Taipa and Cotai at present, and with no clear dates or plans outlining a link with the Macau peninsula, we can only assume that this might materialize many years later.

In the meantime, traveling from Macau or Coloane to Taipa will involve driving over to Taipa in a vehicle, parking, and then taking a train to cover the last 1km or 2km.

Thus, people in Taipa will still have to use a vehicle to get to Macau & Coloane, but CAN use the rail system in Taipa if they leave their car parked. People in Macau & Coloane can use the rail system by travelling to Taipa and then parking.

Either way, more vehicles will be parked in Taipa.

We haven’t even touched on the bridge that will connect Macau with Hong Kong and Guangdong by ………..road ! That’s right, more cars. More parking.

Next week: More problems… but with some possible solutions.

Juliet Risdon is a Director of JML Property and a property investor.

Having been established in 1994, JML Property offers Investment Property & Homes. It specializes in managing properties for owners and investors, and providing attractive and comfortable homes for tenants.

www.JMLProperty.com

info@JMLProperty.com