Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) soft-launched its much anticipated 'Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities' Bus Highlights Tour through a local travel agency on 1^st August for a test run of 14 days, to be followed by an official launch on 15^th August. Running on circular routes connecting points across the eight walking tour routes under the theme 'Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities', the Bus Highlight Tour is a brand new way of experiencing Macau. Hopping on and off the bus, visitors can visit different neighbourhoods and attractions in the World Heritage-listed 'The Historic Centre of Macao' in a more convenient way.

To promote community tourism and the diversification of local tourism products, Macau Government Tourist Office presented the 'Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities' Bus Highlights Tour through a local travel agency on 1^st August 2015. The new Tour offers three routes that connect various points across the eight established walking tour routes, enabling visitors to tour different neighbourhoods and the Historic Centre of Macao at their own pace. An onboard guide provides a running commentary on the sights along the bus tour route offered in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Passengers can hop off at different stops for a stroll around local districts that take their fancy.

The Bus Highlights Tour embraces three circular routes - A, B and C. The full circuit of Route A takes about an hour and a half with five runs a day, stopping at Macau Ferry Terminal, Macau Fisherman's Wharf, Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre, Fortune Business Centre, Pousada de São Tiago and Praça de Ponte e Horta. The full circuit of Route B takes about an hour with seven runs a day taking in the Macau Ferry Terminal, Tap Seac Square, Kun Iam Temple and the Border Gate. The Route C circuit takes approximately two hours with four runs a day, stopping at the Border Gate, Macau Ferry Terminal, Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal, Rua do Cunha (Taipa) and Largo do Presidente António Ramalho Eanes (Coloane).

The bus for all three circular routes departs at 11:00am sharp daily, with the last bus departing at 5:00pm (Route C) or 5:30pm (Route A and B).

Visitors can sign up for the Bus Highlights Tour at Macau Ferry Terminal, Macau Fisherman's Wharf or the Border Gate (in the area between the checkpoints of Gongbei and Border Gate) from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily. The price is MOP100 per person, while children aged 12 or under and seniors age 65 or above can enjoy a 50 per cent discount. With the bus pass, passengers can enjoy unlimited rides on all routes throughout the whole day.

MGTO has produced a leaflet - in English, traditional and simplified Chinese - titled 'Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities' Bus Highlights Tour. Effective 1^st August, visitors can obtain the leaflets from MGTO's Tourist Information counters in Macau for free. They can also view or download information about the routes from MGTO's website at www.macautourism.gov.mo. Relevant information on the Bus Highlights Tour will be updated by the Office on the 'Step Out, Macau' Mobile App and MGTO's Wechat account (mgtoweixin) as appropriate.

During the test-run period, MGTO will closely monitor the operation and running status of the bus routes while being open to suggestions, followed by evaluation and adjustment of the operation if necessary. With the official launch of the 'Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities' Bus Highlights Tour slated for 15^th August, the Office hopes to encourage visitors to explore different neighbourhoods in a leisurely style and discover more interesting dimensions of this multi-faceted territory and its enchanting cityscape.

For details, please visit MGTO's website: www.macautourism.gov.mo or enquire at the Tourism Hotline: (853) 2833 3000 or the travel agency's hotline service: (853) 2872 5813.