LRT not fully functional by 2019: Transport Secretary

Tuesday 6th of December 2016

Macau’s Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosário says construction work on the Taipa section of the city’s LRT system is the priority for next year, local media reports.

Rosário made the comments during the Secretary’s 2017 Policy Address for the Transport and Public Works segment at the Legislative Assembly meeting held on Monday.

“After modifying the draft plan of building an LRT depot, the current work is still on track as planned. It is expected that the Taipa section of LRT be completed in 2019 as scheduled,” he said.

However, while construction would be completed by the time, the Secretary noted his “doubts” as to whether the LRT would be fully functional the same year.

“The MSAR Government promised to complete the Macau section of the LRT; however, the Taipa section is the main priority now,” the Secretary said.

The Taipa section includes stops serving the Cotai casino resorts which will connect to the Macau International Airport and the new Pac On ferry terminal located near the airport.

In June, The secretary also mentioned that the final budget for the Taipa line would be MOP11 billion (US$1.4 billion), which includes fees relating to the construction of a depot in Taipa.

Previously, investment analysts said that any delays of the LRT beyond the end of 2016 would be negative for the new Cotai resorts, given the increasing focus on mass market customers in Macau.

Construction LRT