Macau’s Transport Bureau says that it will announce details of the issuance of new ordinary taxi licenses soon, as Macau’s taxi industry faces challenges amid a fall in the number of taxis this year and the return of tourists.
The government stresses that the move is to “meet the demand of the citizens and tourists” and “enhance the quality of taxi services” in the city.
According to official data, as of July 17th this year, there were 1,602 taxis in Macau, of which 1,302 were regular taxis (black taxis), and 300 were special taxis. This type of special taxis can only be hailed using a telephone, website, or mobile app.
Macau’s Transport Bureau hasn’t mentioned the possible number of new taxi licenses to be issued. However, the number of taxis in town will decrease by 400 this year from three years ago, as some licenses expire.
The last time the authorities invited tenders for eight-year taxi licenses was in 2018, with a permit costing between MOP810,100 ($100,377.8) and MOP 988,000 ($123,000).
But after the amended taxi law, authorities ended public tenders of taxi licenses for individual investors, as all the taxi licenses are to be issued to company bidders.
Due to the solid rebound in visitor arrivals in Macau since lifting all the travel restrictions, there was an increase in malpractice involving taxis. According to official data, 48 taxi drivers were fined in 1Q23.
