Transportation Bureau (DSAT) officials noted at a closed-door meeting yesterday that nearly 80 percent of local schools began the new academic year on Tuesday, leading to an increase in traffic pressure on roads and public transit.
Public buses saw about 120,000 to 130,000 passenger trips daily between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. both on Tuesday and yesterday, with students accounting for 10 to 13 percent of the total volume.
The DSAT officials made the remarks during a closed-door meeting with members of the government-appointed Northern District Community Service Consultative Council at the Patane Municipal Market Complex (沙梨頭街市市政綜合大樓).
Briefing reporters after yesterday’s meeting, Wu Hang San, deputy convenor of the government-appointed council, noted that in order to address the surge, public bus capacity has been boosted during the back-to-school week, increasing peak-hour departures by 10 to 15 percent compared to regular days.
Wu added that during peak hours, special bus services have been deployed and passenger diversion measures have been implemented at high-traffic stops to accelerate vehicle turnover. Extra field personnel and inspectors have been stationed at bus stops to assist students and guide passengers, Wu said, adding that standby bus tow trucks were deployed to quickly respond to emergencies, traffic accidents, and severe congestion.
Moreover, fellow council member Wong Chi Choi noted that Macau has launched the system of Modular Safety Islands. These temporary “islands” can be assembled and dismantled quickly, allowing flexible deployment based on real-time road conditions to enhance pedestrian safety when crossing streets while curbing illegal vehicle parking. The are also known as Portable Pedestrian Refuge Islands.
He pointed out that a total of 18 diagonal pedestrian crossings (commonly known as pedestrian scramble) have now been installed across Macau.
Wong added that the authorities continue to review existing pedestrian infrastructure, including zebra crossings and permanent Pedestrian Refuge Islands, while advancing the implementation of diagonal pedestrian crossings.
Central District Community Service Consultative Council Deputy Convenor Wu Hang San (right) and fellow councillor Wong Chi Choi pose during yesterday’s press briefing after the government-appointed council’s closed-door meeting at the Patane Municipal Market Complex (沙梨頭街市市政綜合大樓). – Photo: Ida Cheong
