Macau (MNA) – Nelson Kot Man Kam, the President of the Association of Social Synthetic Studies of Macau (ASSEM) told Macau News Agency (MNA) on the sidelines of local debate programme Macau Forum that he thinks the government should increase the number parking spaces.
“Many people in Macau have to use their own cars during rush hour [7am to 9am] because of the poor public transport system,” he said, adding that Macau has 240,000 vehicle owners, and thus the approximately 150,000 parking spaces is clearly not sufficient.
On Tuesday, the government proposed changes to the current Road Traffic Law, suggesting heavier fines for transit infractions.
The director of the Transport Bureau (DSAT), Lam Hin San, has said that imposing stricter penalties will help to crackdown on illegal parking, suggesting that DSAT would double the fines from MOP300 to MOP600.
Kot criticized the remarks made by Raimundo Arrais do Rosário, the Land, Public Works and Transport Secretary – who told reporters on Wednesday that people should stay calm, as the transport laws are now under public consultation and action has yet to be taken – saying that Rosario’s comments were ‘irresponsible.’
He added that it was a poor reflection on DSAT to announce the increase in fines without taking care of the basic need for more parking spaces.
Regarding the revisions to the transportation law, DSAT will start a public consultation on June 28, with opinions and comments to be submitted online via e-mail or by telephone, fax or mail until August 26.
During the Macau Forum session, participants also criticised the lack of parking spaces and the increase of fines given to those who flout parking rules.
In particular, motorcycle parking spaces have been reduced under the current government, according to suspended legislator Sulu Sou Ka Hou.
According to official statistics from DSAT, the total number of registered two-wheel motor vehicles is approximately 124,000 which has surpassed the number of parking spaces available for motorcycles and scooters (51,000).
