Tourism and ‘Leisure’ buses carry nearly 37,000 passengers as gov’t studies regular service

Macau’s Tourism and “Leisure” bus service has carried nearly 37,000 passengers by mid-August, with authorities saying the initiative has helped ease weekend crowding and that they are studying whether to make the service permanent.

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) said the service operated smoothly and in an orderly manner, adding that extra Friday routes added during the summer accounted for about one-third of total passenger volume in the period.

Speaking to the local broadcaster, Researcher and Data Analyst, Fong Kei Kei said, “Since we added Friday services, the number of passengers boarding on Fridays has basically accounted for one-third of the total number of passengers boarding during the summer holidays. This reflects that the operational adjustments made in response to the summer peak season have achieved the expected results and have effectively alleviated the pressure of the weekend peak.”

The Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) said views on the service’s mobile information platform doubled to 60,000 after the “Leisure Tour Bus 2.0” upgrade, reflecting growing demand for community tourism information. It said it would continue to monitor passenger flows, enrich community cultural and tourism experiences, and consider feedback from all sectors before deciding on the feasibility of regularizing the service.

Travelers most frequently alight at stops in Iao Hon and the Three Lamps District, Fai Chi Kei, indicating that the community tourism routes have some appeal among visitors.