The government will soon launch a public tender for no more than 100 ‘special licence’ taxis, it was revealed yesterday in the Official Gazette. The dispatch signed by Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On on September 30 says that the licences will be valid for eight years, counting from the operation date mandated in the contract to be signed. Following the Official Gazette announcement, the Transport Bureau (DSAT) issued a statement, saying that bidders must be companies (rather than individuals) and that the Bureau has basically completed the preparation to hold the public tender and will announce more details in a short while. Recently, former DSAT Director Wong Won said that “special licence” cabs would have to provide radio and reservation services and provide special services for the disabled. The city’s radio taxi service ceased in November last year after the city’s then only radio taxi service provider, Vang Iek Radio-taxi Co. Ltd., quit after operating the service for more than two decades because the company and the government had failed to reach a new agreement. Vang Iek ran 100 yellow cabs commonly known as ‘yellow taxis’. Better rules necessary President of the General Association of Macau Taxis Owners Raymond Leng Sai Hou told Business Daily that it was a good sign that the public tender for special taxi licences is imminent but that the government must mandate proper rules in order to ensure that these taxis will only provide on-call services rather than competing with black taxis hailed in the street for service. Mr. Leng said ‘pure on-call services’ is essential to guarantee that the purpose of such special taxis is fulfilled and better serving residents. In addition, the company should have an employment relationship with the taxi drivers instead of renting the taxis to individuals in order to achieve better management. “We cannot repeat the mistake of ‘yellow taxis’. When you call from Coloane, if they can be hailed in the city centre, they wouldn’t pick you up,” said Mr. Leng. “Stricter regulations have to be implemented. And the (bidding) process must be transparent and monitored by all residents.” Mr. Leng added that the public service should be conducted by no less than two companies since “competition is always better for the market”. And the government should ensure that at least one investor is local as the government has always pledged to help local small and medium-sized enterprises. Former yellow taxi operator Vang Iek Radio-taxi Co. Ltd, said they haven’t decided whether to join the bidding, according to TDM Chinese radio’s report. They quoted the company’s Executive Director, Eugenio Cheng, as saying the company is aware of the government’s intention of launching the public tender, but it is still in its initial stages and they are not sure if the government has other requirements, with more studies to be conducted.
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