In her written interpellation released yesterday, lawmaker-cum-unionist Ella Lei Cheng I calls for the operation of an express public bus route serving the Ka Ho neighbourhood in Coloane, pointing out that currently there is only one public bus route serving the area, No. 21A which runs on a particularly convoluted route with a low trip frequency.
Lei noted that a number of new care homes and other social service facilities have been set up in the hamlet of Ka Ho over recent years, adding that the current public bus service is making it “very inconvenient” for family members to visit those living the facilities in the area.
The No. 21A bus travels between the peninsula’s Barra neighbourhood at the southern tip of the Inner Harbour area and the oil depot on the Ka Ho waterfront.
In addition to the social service facilities, Lei noted that the opening of newly revitalised cultural heritage facilities at the Village of Our Lady has resulted in a larger public transport demand to Ka Ho from residents and tourists alike.
Lei noted that in the direction of Ka Ho, the No. 21A route travels past 37 bus stops, while it serves 39 stops when returning to Barra, making it the city’s public bus route with the highest number of stops.
Lei also said that, moreover, the No. 21A route is Macau second’s longest public bus route as its travelling distance amounts to 44.66 kilometres.
Lei also said that during peak hours, a return trip on the No. 21A can be expected to take almost three hours.
Because of its long distance, convoluted route and low trip frequency, Lei noted that the No. 21A buses are often “very crowded”.
The No. 21A route is run by TCM, one of the city’s two public bus operators.
In her written interpellation, Lei urged the government to discuss with public bus operators the possible operation of a new express route travelling between the peninsula and Coloane’s Ka Ho with fewer stops on a more direct route.
Lei suggested that the new express public buses use the Ka Ho Tunnel, which came into use in late 2021, when travelling between Cotai and Coloane so that the distance can be much shorter.
This undated file photo shows the government’s Ka Ho Rehabilitation Hospital.
– Photo: SSM
