The Transport Bureau (DSAT) said in a statement yesterday that unregistered Macau Pass holders will need to pay full bus fares, which is six patacas per ride, starting on December 11.
The statement said that in order to better trace close contacts of COVID-19 patients, the government has liaised with Macau Pass and the two local bus companies to implement the “bus rider real name registration scheme”. The statement added that the scheme requires bus riders’ Macau Pass to be registered in their real name. The statement underlined that those who register their Macau Passes can continue to enjoy a discount starting on December 11.
According to the statement, the registration period for the Macau Pass starts next Saturday (November 27) at 10 a.m. The statement said that residents need to first sign up online at www.macaubusreg.com, then go to one of the card-tapping spots to get their Macau Pass activated. The statement pointed out that when residents sign up to register their Macau Pass, they will need to provide their Macau Pass number, card holder’s name, and mobile phone number. The statement underlined that after the cardholder receives a confirmation message, residents can get their cards activated at one of the city’s 130 card-tapping spots.
The statement underlined that the card-tapping spots will be located at the bureau’s service area, public car parks, Macau Pass customer service centres, public bus terminals, nucleic acid test (NAT) stations, and the six gaming operators.
The statement also pointed out that residents who hold a senior citizen pass, student pass, disability pass, auto-top-up card, third round of e-consumption smartcard (validity period until December 31), and MPay bus pass will not need be registered. Those who do not know whether their Macau Pass is already registered can go on the website to check. The statement also noted that up to three Macau Passes can be registered with one mobile phone number.
The statement noted that starting at midnight on December 11, all holders of unregistered or inactivated cards will be charged the full fare, which is six patacas instead of the three-pataca subsidised normal fare on public buses and four patacas for express routes, until the card is fully registered and activated. The statement also added that in order to be able to track passengers who paid with cash or unregistered Macau Passes, the bureau will gradually implement a system to record their travel history. The statement did not elaborate.
The bureau urged residents to register their Macau Pass as soon as possible, stressing that for those who need help,they can go with their mobile phone and Macau Pass to any of the Macau Pass customer service centres or one of the card-tapping spots for assistance
For any enquiries about the scheme, residents can email info@dsat.gov.mo or call the bureau on 8866 6363, and for any enquiries about the registration process, residents can also email info@macaupass.com, or call 2872 7688.
2019 file photo of a Macau Pass vending machine in Praça de Ferreira do Amaral – Photo courtesy of Enviro2800/Wikmedia Commons
