The Macau government, in collaboration with the city’s six integrated resort operators, announced yesterday that they have launched a “Tourism and Leisure Bus” programme, which will begin trial operations on Saturday.
The city’s six integrated resort operators are MGM, Galaxy, Sands, Melco, Wynn, and SJM Resorts.
The press conference was co-hosted by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), the Transport Bureau (DSAT), the Public Security Police (PSP), and the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM).
According to a statement released during the press conference in Hong Kung Temple Square, the programme aims to promote community economic development (CED) and help small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in local communities attract more tourists and customers.
The statement also said that the programme features three themes, six routes and nine drop-off points, involving over 1,000 businesses along the way.
The three themed routes comprise “Holiday Vibes Macau,” running during the Labour Day holiday, between April 29 and May 5, passing through Zape and Rua dos Ervanários; “Taste The Streets Macau,” running at weekends, connecting the northern district, San Kiu district, Patane Market and Hong Kung Night Market; and “Leisurely Weekend Macau,” taking place in Barra district and Nam Van Lake Anim’Arte NAM VAN.
The statement also said that a mobile information webpage set up by DSEDT, features approximately 300 special businesses, including centuries-old shops and other “distinctive” stores.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau emphasised in the statement that no gambling-related content may be displayed on any of the buses, while the Public Security Police (PSP) will maintain traffic order in all districts and have established an emergency response coordination mechanism to optimise the traffic environment at the bus stops.
DICJ Research and Information Analysis Division Chief So Wing Young said during the press conference that depending on the community environment, the bureau will deploy both 45-seat buses and 24-seat buses, with up to around 40 trips per day, which will be free of charge.
The press conference did not reveal how many buses will be deployed by the programme.
Macau Central and Southern Districts Industrial and Commercial Federation Chairman Lei Cheok Kuan told reporters after the press conference that the programme may help channel the city’s “high-quality customer base” from the integrated resort enterprises into residential communities. Additionally, he called on local businesses to seize the opportunity to improve their services and product quality. Lei also expressed hope that the government will pay attention to the pressure on small businesses caused by rising oil prices.
According to a pamphlet released during the press conference, the nine bus stops will be set up in Iao Hon, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia (colloquially known as “Three Lamps”), the sitting-out area facing Nape’s Kun Iam Statue, in front of the Macau Grand Prix Museum, in Barra, at Anim’ Arte NAM VAN, in front of Patane Food Court, and outside Hong Kung Temple.
There are two bilingual versions of the free pamphlet – one in simplified Chinese characters and English, the other in traditional Chinese characters and Portuguese.
Those looking for more detailed information about the programme may visit the link: https://www.gcs.gov.mo/news/detail/pt/N26DVB11ej
This copy of a free pamphlet downloaded yesterday provides information on the programme’s bus schedules and route details. – Photo: GCS
This photo taken yesterday shows one of the “Tourism and Leisure Bus” programme’s 24-seat buses parked outside Hong Kung Temple Square. – Photo: Armindo Neves
