A new plan to tackle Macao’s traffic issues by reorganising the city’s public bus routes and network of bus stops was proposed by the local political party, Synergy of Macao, at a press conference yesterday.
During the event, the group identified a number of issues that needed to be resolved, including reducing the number of route overlaps and circuitous bus lines, as well as improving the space available at bus stops.
In a bid to improve the network’s efficiency, the group urged the government to consider splitting bus routes into five categories: rapid lines, trunk lines, short lines, auxiliary lines and sublines. It also suggested reviewing bus stops and stations to assess their capacity and whether or not their use blocks surrounding traffic.
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Synergy of Macao was adamant that the government needed to dispense with its short-term “small patch” solutions. “We here have the blueprint and vision” legislator Ron Lam, a member of the party, said. “I won’t say there will be no objections, but I believe this plan is most likely to reach a consensus.”
The group has also proposed a transport trial in Old Taipa Village. According to Lam, a plan has been submitted to transport secretary Raimundo do Rosário, who said that the government would consider it.
Meanwhile, Transport Consultative Committee member Hui Ho Chi said in a TDM interview that traffic problems could also be alleviated by expanding tourism offerings in different neighbourhoods, funnelling visitors to other parts of the city. Expanding the city’s maritime transport offerings would also take pressure off the road network, he said.
