New bus service might face one year delay

The liberalisation of the public bus service will be postponed for a year or even more, according to Chinese-language newspaper Macau Daily News.
In the same article published yesterday, the managing director of Transmac, Chan Hio Ieong, said the delay will depend on the final outcome of the judicial battle against the Chief Executive’s decision not to accept current provider TCM’s tender proposal.
A week ago, the Court of Second Instance rejected TCM’s appeal but the bus operator can still ask the Court of Final Appeal to review this decision. Macau Daily Times (MDT) tried to contact TCM to confirm whether or not the company would lodge a new appeal but has received no reply.
If TCM decides to go through to the Court of Final Appeal, the liberalisation, originally scheduled for October 15, will be postponed, Chan said. Once the court decision becomes final, the new bus service can be up and running “nine months” after the adjudication process is over, the Transmac executive added.
Contacted by MDT yesterday, the Transport Bureau (DSAT) would not confirm the extent of the postponement. Three weeks ago, DSAT announced it would negotiate with both current bus service operators to extend the existing concession contracts.
Yesterday the bureau confirmed it is already “having an active discussion” with TCM and Transmac to “provide sustainable bus services”.
“Once we have further information [on the extent of the postponement], we will announce to the public,” DSAT added.
Chan Hio Ieong also confirmed “consultations” between the Executive and the bus companies have already begun. Transmac “will try to support the Government” in the extension of the current concession, the managing director assured.
However, the representative warned that this delay would inevitably have economic costs for the service operators, as well as “social costs” for Macau. On one hand, Chan stressed, the proposals sent for the public tender include the purchase of new buses. The investment is likely to be higher next year, she explained.
On the other hand, “everyone will assume the social costs and that is worthy of public reflection,” Chan said. The delay will affect the full implementation of the Government’s transport policy, she said, and extend the current situation. And, according to the Transmac executive, the existing service is not good enough.
One reason for that is the competition posed by casino shuttle buses, she said. This activity is jamming the “main streets” and bus terminals, as well as worsening the lack of qualified drivers for public service companies, Chan stated.
The introduction of a new bus system was pushed back because of the ongoing judicial battle between the Administration and TCM. On November 24, the bid opening committee argued that the company was “four minutes late” in submitting the documents for the public tender.

VQ