Uber Frustrated With Transportation

It has been an incredible, inconvenient season for transportation in Macau, specifically for those that travel to the beaches of Coloane. First the Bus 25 route changed in Coloane this spring making it a challenge to reach Cheoc Van and Hac Sa beaches; and now Uber Technologies, Inc. is pausing services throughout the city as of July 22nd. While Radio Taxi seemed like a great new option, residents often report that this option is difficult to obtain and the phone lines are often engaged.
Uber released a statement Tuesday stating that they “had not been able to unlock the full benefits of ride-sharing in the city,” and for the second time in its two-year tenure in town, the company has stopped operations.
I find it mind-blowing to consider the high fines that have been imposed on the drivers of Uber. As a resident of Coloane, my vehicle was stopped often if we have passengers in the back seat. The police were frequently looking for Uber drivers in the outlying areas of the city.
When traveling to cities all over the world, including mainland China, it has become almost second nature for people to request an Uber or Lyft. It is really unfortunate that Uber continues to fail in Macau.
There are still major issues traveling to Coloane on weekend days with nice weather from Taipa. The buses are still full often, and the current schedule of one large bus every 10-15 minutes and two small buses every 30+ minutes is just not good enough for the demand of the city. It is time for DSAT to reconsider the Bus 25 route change, even if only on weekends during May-November when beach season is in full swing. It is such a challenge to catch a taxi at Hac Sa or Cheoc Van, and now with Uber unavailable and Radio Taxi difficult to reach, transportation woes will continue to frustrate residents and tourists alike.
“We welcome those who comply with the law, and we will act according to the law to those who don’t comply with the law,” said the DSAT spokesperson.
It would be ideal if DSAT would re-evaluate the public transport options to outlying areas in Macau so that residents and tourists could rely on a public method as opposed to seeking private or taxi alternatives that are variable based on their legality or availability. Until then, I am uber frustrated with transportation in Macau.