Taxi shortage looms as 100 e-hailing licenses set to expire

Catching a cab is expected to become even harder next month, as 100 e-hailing taxi licenses are set to expire at the end of September.

The Transport Bureau (DSAT), however, believes the 500 new licenses issued last year will be enough to cover the gap.

According to DSAT, there are currently 1,763 taxis operating across the city.

However, Wong Su Cheong, chairman of the Association for the Joint Effort of Building a Good Home (ACCBL) – a subgroup of the Women’s General Association of Macau – noted the uneven distribution of taxi resources across the city.

While some patrol the streets for passengers, others are stationed at hotels and casinos, and a small portion take online bookings.

According to Wong, this fragmented system has created inefficiencies, particularly as demand for e-hailing grows.

Currently, only 300 taxis – about 17.6% of the total fleet – are officially available for online booking, which is insufficient during both daily and peak tourist demand.

Many taxi operators have developed their own booking apps, resulting in multiple platforms that do not interconnect.

Passengers often need to download several apps, increasing costs and leading to “no car available” situations.

The dispersed data also makes it difficult for authorities to accurately monitor taxi availability and manage the fleet.

Wong suggested that the government take the lead in creating a unified online booking platform for all 1,700 taxis.

The chairman added that the platform would integrate resources, improve dispatch efficiency, provide real-time data on demand and vehicle distribution, and allow authorities to assess supply and demand, potentially guiding future expansion or the introduction of ride-hailing services.

He also stressed the need to address accessibility issues.

Macau currently has 13 wheelchair-accessible taxis, five of which belong to the soon-to-expire e-hailing fleet.

“Without timely replacement, special-needs passengers could face even greater difficulty securing transportation,” said Wong.

Meanwhile, speaking to TDM Radio, Lam Chi Chao, vice president of the Traffic Advisory Council, also stressed that the removal of 100 blue taxis from the roads will likely worsen the shortage.

He urged the government to adopt interim measures before the study is completed, such as deploying taxis in high-demand areas or improving the smart terminal booking system already installed in vehicles.

Tony Kuok, president of the Macau Taxi Drivers Mutual Help Association, echoed concerns and stressed the need for immediate action.

He noted that only black taxis are included in new tenders and that, based on past experience, it takes at least six months for newly licensed taxis to become operational.

“The government should consider solutions now to avoid leaving the city short of taxis for an extended period,” Kuok said.