US multinational transportation company Uber announced in a statement yesterday that it has launched a local taxi service as well as a Macau-Hong Kong cross-border service across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB).
Back in July 2017, Uber had decided to suspend its services in Macau after failing to secure the government’s authorisation for its operations here. The company’s cross-border and local taxi services started yesterday.
According to the statement, the launch of the travel service between Hong Kong and Macau, and the taxi service in Macau aims to provide more convenient travel options for both tourists travelling between Hong Kong and Macau, as well as local residents.
In response to the growing demand for cross-border travel, the statement said, Uber has partnered with Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings to launch the cross-border transport service across the bridge. The statement said that users can book the service via the Uber app, travelling directly from Hong Kong to Macau or from Macau to Hong Kong without the need to switch vehicles at border ports. The cross-border service offers fixed fares, which cover all the HZMB toll and Hong Kong tunnel fees, the statement said, adding that passengers can make reservations from just 24 hours to 90 days in advance of their departure.
The Uber statement did not elaborate on what passengers will have to pay for a ride between Macau and Hong Kong across the mega-bridge.
The statement also said that users can book licensed Macau taxis through the app, with fares calculated according to the official rates. Payment can be made in cash or through the app. The service supports a multilingual interface and offers safety features such as trip tracking and emergency assistance, the statement said.
Currently, the Uber app is only available for credit card, debit card, Apple pay and Google payments for its taxi and cross-border services, excluding local online payment apps such as Mpay and Boc Pay for the time being.
Uber will use Macau’s common taxis, colloquially known as “black taxis” for its local transport services.
Meanwhile, the Macau Transport Bureau (DSAT) and Public Security Police (PSP) announced in a joint statement yesterday that operating cross-border taxi services between Hong Kong and Macau as well as in Macau require legal authorisation. Uber is required to collaborate with licensed cross-border vehicle operators and display official identification stickers on both the front windscreen and rear of the vehicles to facilitate easy recognition by passengers.
The statement also said that Uber’s taxi service can only use vehicles that hold a Macau-issued taxi licence and be driven by individuals who possess valid taxi driver permits.
This handout photo provided by Uber yesterday shows its cross-border service vehicle parked outside the Londoner Macao in Cotai.
