Ride-hailing is the goal, but with ‘steady steps’

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raymond Tam, said yesterday that establishing a ride-hailing service in Macau is the government’s ultimate goal to address transportation issues. However, he added that steady, careful steps must be taken first to ensure a smooth transition.

In response to lawmakers’ inquiries, Tam noted that the government is proactively researching the establishment of a ride-hailing service and regulatory platform to protect the rights and interests of passengers and drivers through a standardized management system.

The Secretary noted that establishing this ride-hailing system is the government’s ultimate goal in responding to societal needs. However, given Macau’s small size and limited road network, careful consideration is needed in its implementation.

He noted that the government is adopting an approach that includes “steady steps” toward the goal, by first implementing a ride-hailing system dedicated solely to call taxis and then, once the system is mature enough, expanding to broader ride-hailing services.

He said that, for this to be possible, the government is amending the Taxi Law this year to establish the basis for introducing ride-hailing platforms, avoiding a rush into the matter that could do more harm than good.

Chao Ka Chon, a Chief Executive-appointed lawmaker with extensive experience in internet and AI-powered platforms, initially launched the inquiry, noting that it is time to move forward with implementation after a long period of public and sectoral consultation.  RM