The Transport Bureau (DSAT) said in a statement Wednesday that it has launched a tender for a company licence to operate up to 200 special radio taxis and that the winning bidder will have to buy hybrids or other environmentally-friendly cabs.
According to the statement, those who plan to bid for the “green” radio taxi service licence can submit their tender documentation until October 15. The bidding period started yesterday. DSAT officials will unseal and screen the bids at the Transport Bureau Building on October 16.
The current radio taxi company – Macau Radio Taxi Corporation – came into service in April last year. The government signed an eight-year contract with the firm in September 2016 for the operation of 100 special radio taxis. The government announced earlier that month that the company won the bid – one of three submitted bids – for a licence to operate up to 100 special radio taxis.
The new licence to operate another 200 special radio taxis will be valid for eight years, the statement said.
The fleet run by the current radio taxi company are hybrid vehicles.
According to yesterday’s statement, the bureau requires the new radio taxi operator to use hybrids or other environmentally friendly vehicles with a capacity of at least six passengers for its cabs.
The winning bidder will have to operate 100 vehicles when it starts running the special radio taxi service. The company is required to put the other 100 taxis into operation within a year of the launch of its service, the statement said.
Five of the first 100 taxis must be vehicles providing easy access for wheelchair users, while 10 must be “big taxis” – larger than other vehicles in the fleet, according to the statement. It is understood that the larger taxis refer to those offering more space for luggage.
According to the statement, the new company is required to install a Global Positioning System (GPS) as well as contactless payment devices are required for the taxis.
The government announced in the Official Gazette (BO) on Monday that it will launch a tender for a company licence to operate up to 200 special radio taxis. The announcement was made in an executive order signed by Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On.
On Monday, the Macau Radio Taxi Corporation told reporters that it plans to bid for the new radio taxi service licence. The company also said that it will possibly buy electric vehicles (EVs) for its cabs.
