The Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (UGAMM) hosted a ceremony yesterday in which public bus operator Transmac donated three Kai Fong Car-Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles* (WAV) to the union.
The ceremony was held at the UGAMM (widely known as Kai Fong, its short name in Cantonese) headquarters in Toi San district.
According to Kai Fong President Chan Ka Leong, the “Kai Fong Car” service, launched in 2015, has operated around 50,000 passenger trips over the past decade. Its primary function is to assist disadvantaged groups and individuals with mobility challenges in travelling to and from medical facilities, Chan said, adding that the service was suspended for about a year due to resource constraints.
Chan also said that the relaunch aims to address residents’ travel needs, contribute to building a barrier-free community, and enhance the quality of life. Eligible Kai Fong members can call the service hotline on 2822 2633 to make a reservation at least three days in advance, Chan said, adding that the service will be restarted on January 1.
Chan told reporters that the service, after being suspended for nearly a year, has resumed in collaboration with Transmac. He estimated that it will serve around 10 to 12 Kai Fong members daily, or around 300 to 400 people monthly, with an annual target of 5,000 to 6,000 passenger trips.
Chan also said that the service is primarily intended to assist disadvantaged residents, especially wheelchair users, with essential travel such as hospital follow-up appointments. Future expansion of the service will depend on operational results and available conditions, he said.
According to the statement, which was released during the ceremony, the “Kai Fong Car” service is sponsored by Transmac, which covers the donation of three service vehicle, provision of drivers, and daily operational expenses. The service will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the statement said.
* Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) is a motor vehicle that has been specifically modified or designed to allow a person who remains seated in their wheelchair or mobility scooter to travel as a passenger or driver. The primary goal is to enable direct wheelchair entry and securement, eliminating the need for the occupant to transfer into a standard vehicle seat. – DeepSeek
UGAMM President Chan Ka Leong speaks to reporters at the UGAMM headquarters yesterday.
Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations(UGAMM) Chairwoman Ng Siu Lai (back, left) and Transmac Chairman Alfred Liu Hei Wan (back, second from left) look on during a demonstration of how to use a “Kai Fong Car” at the UGAMM headquarters in Toi San district yesterday. – Photos: Armindo Neves
