New legislation ‘unacceptably weak’ says Macau Taxi Passenger Association

The Macau Taxi Passenger Association countered the ‘harsher punishments’ proposed by the Transport Bureau (DSAT) for taxi drivers committing illegal acts with proposed penalties of its own. The MTPA suggests that first-time offenders shoulder a MOP5,000 fine, while two-times offenders should suffer a one-month licence suspension and three-strike offenders have their taxi driver’s licence withdrawn for three years, according to a press release issued by the Association on Wednesday night. The Association references jurisdictions such as Singapore – which uses a vocational licence points system (VLPS) to levy a fine plus demerit points – 6 to 20 of which over a 24-month period can lead to licence suspension – saying the system creates a ‘clean and healthy taxi’ industry. With regard to the proposed audio recording devices in taxis MTPA President Andrew W Scott said: “Does anyone seriously believe a rogue taxi driver scamming visitors to Macau is going to voluntarily allow audio recording devices in his taxi? It doesn’t make much sense, does it?” The MPTA also proposes that if more than 30 per cent of taxi companies’ taxis are involved in infractions ‘the company should be criminally prosecuted for fraud and certainly should lose the right to ever organise taxis in Macau.’ ‘These proposals are just that – proposals’, says the MTPA press release. The Association hopes that the legislation will be changed dramatically as well as stating it is ‘disappointed’ to have not received acknowledgement or reply from the DSAT regarding a 33-page proposal lodged in September 2014 regarding the taxi industry. According to the Association, it currently boasts over 5,500 members since its creation in June 2014.