The Traffic Affairs Consultative Committee has urged the government to further push the gaming operators to cut down the number of routes and frequency of scheduled free shuttle bus services in order to free up more roads to develop public transportation.
The advisors and authorities discussed the issue yesterday afternoon, committee member Kou Kun Pang told reporters following a closed-door meeting with the Transport Bureau (DSAT).
“One of the gaming operators has agreed to cut nearly 20 per cent of its shuttle bus routes, the purpose [of which] is to ease the traffic and free up more road resources. Each operator will have its own proportion and schedule for cutting routes. We see this as a good start at this early stage of our discussion with gaming operators, but we should keep on evaluating the issue. It’s also important for the government to keep an eye on the cut,’’ Mr. Kou said.
However, the convenor said no timetable was available, and no deadline set.
Making progress
Representatives from DSAT also told reporters that nearly 80 shuttle bus routes are being operated now, with around 60 to remain it is proposed, while the ultimate target is to have less than 50 routes in the market.
Transport Bureau Director Kevin Lam Hin San said earlier this month that they are already in talks with the gaming operators and have agreed to cut down 11 routes, such as the ones connecting Cotai to Old Taipa Village, as well as combining the ones to the Airport and Pac On Ferry Terminal.
During the meeting, DSAT said they have decided to limit the traffic between Barra and Lam Mau Tong by only allowing buses on the road during peak hours in the morning and night. Mr. Kou said the government will launch a trial run of on Saturdays and Sundays in mid-May. Mr. Kou added that data will be updated and evaluated for further review by then.
Mr. Kou also revealed that DSAT said that the 250 taxi licences will go to public tender in March this year. Currently, around 1,300 taxis operate in the market; around 60 have a permanent licence.
