The Government respects the rights of those that joined a demonstration held on Sunday (4 September), in order to express – in a legal and reasonable manner – views regarding transportation services offered via a mobile communications application.

The Government noted however that such passenger transportation services were unlicensed and were deemed illegal for operation in Macao. Some of the opinions expressed during the demonstration did not appear to take account of Macao’s existing legislation on passenger transportation services.

In addition, this type of car hailing service – via mobile application – had already been deemed as either unauthorised or illegal in several places around the world, including in some European countries and some states in the United States of America. In some cases fines had been imposed on such service operators by various authorities. While the authorities in some places and some countries had accepted this type of car hailing service, typically a set of strict regulations were applied to service operators.

Passenger transportation services could not be operated in Macao without proper regulation by the competent authorities. The Government also noted that Macao had its own rules regarding the business and operational models for transportation services; and these did not necessarily equate to rules in other places.

The Public Security Police Force and the Transport Bureau – the authorities responsible for supervising Macao’s transportation services – had no comment regarding news reports and rumours about the withdrawal of a private car hailing service offered by a company based outside Macao.

The Public Security Police Force and the Transport Bureau would step up enforcement action against any unlicensed transportation services in the city, in order properly to protect the rights of local residents and visitors.

The Government had previously announced it would issue a total of 100 special licences for taxi services; including for vehicles that can be ordered either online or via telephone. It was part of the Government’s efforts to regulate public transportation services and to protect properly the rights and safety of passengers.