Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam Vai Man has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to submitting a bill to the Legislative Assembly (AL) before the end of this year. The proposed legislation, which seeks to amend the current law governing Macau’s taxi sector, aims to formally regulate taxi-based online ride-hailing services and the operations of ride-hailing platforms.
Tam made the remarks on Friday while responding to oral interpellations from lawmakers during a plenary session in the legislature’s hemicycle.
He noted that the government requires more time than originally scheduled to draft the amendments, in order to ensure that the future legislation better addresses Macau’s taxi service needs. The policy secretary expressed confidence that the administration would be able to present the amendment bill to the legislature within the year for debate and vote.
Macau’s taxi fleet currently comprises both “common” and “special” taxis. Common taxis – colloquially known as “black taxis” (“hak dik” in Cantonese) owing to their colour – may be operated by either licensed individuals or companies. Special taxis, by contrast, are run by Macau Radio Taxi Services Limited and are restricted to providing phone and online booking services; they are not permitted to pick up passengers hailing cabs in the street.
In addition to responding to street hails, common taxis are legally entitled to offer radio dispatch or online ride-hailing services. Indeed, a growing number of common taxis have joined the online platform operated by mainland web-mapping giant Amap since its launch in Macau last year. Prospective passengers can book these taxis via either the Amap app or the MPay app, the mobile payment application run by Macau Pass.
Friday’s remarks follow statements made by Tam earlier this year, when he informed lawmakers that the government intended to propose amendments to the existing taxi law to facilitate the formal establishment of online ride-hailing platforms. He explained at the time that such a move was designed to protect the rights and interests of both passengers and drivers.
Tam further clarified earlier this year that the government’s ultimate goal remains to licence private cars for online ride-hailing services. He insisted, however, that the government has opted for a more cautious, phased approach: first establishing a regulatory framework for taxi-based online hailing, and only progressing to private-car licensing later, “if everything runs smoothly”.
According to the latest official data, there were 1,454 taxis in service at the end of the first quarter of this year, comprising 1,254 common taxis and 200 special taxis.
Govt to improve ‘A Ma La’ underground area’s accessibility
Separately, during Friday’s plenary session, Tam said that the government plans to launch several small-scale projects in the underground area of the peninsula’s Praça de Ferreira do Amaral (colloquially known in Cantonese as “A Ma La”) to enhance pedestrian signage and accessibility.
The policy secretary acknowledged that pedestrian usage of the underground area remains low, largely due to poor accessibility. He added that the government would study the feasibility of constructing a new underground passage linking A Ma La to the future Light Rapid Transit (LRT) South Line station on Plot A9 in the Nam Van Lake district. Plot A9 is an undeveloped waterfront site situated between the AIA Tower and the Nam Van Peninsula residential building.
Tam also said the government plans to build pedestrian underpasses connecting Dr. Carlos D’Assumpção Park in Nape to the footpaths outside adjacent office buildings. Subsequently, zebra crossings on Alameda Dr Carlos D’Assumpção – the two-way avenue that runs alongside the park – would be removed in order to improve vehicular traffic flow, he said.
Taxis stop at the traffic-light-controlled crossing outside Hotel Lisboa in June. – Photo: Tony Wong
