Macau Light Rapid Transit

The Macau Light Rapid Transit (MLRT, Chinese: 澳門輕軌系統; Portuguese: Metro Ligeiro de Macau, MLM) is a mass transit system in Macau. It serves the Macau Peninsula, Taipa and Cotai, serving major border checkpoints such as the Border Gate, the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, the Lotus Bridge border and the Macau International Airport. In the future it will serve the Lotus Bridge.

Macau Light Rapid Transit
Overview
Native name
OwnerMacao Light Rapid Transit Corporation, Limited
Area servedInitial Operation: Taipa and Cotai
LocaleMacau
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines1
Number of stations11
Websitehttp://www.mlm.com.mo
http://www.mtr.com.mo/en/
Operation
Began operation10 December 2019 (Taipa Line)[1][2]
By 2024 (Taipa-Barra section)[3]
Operator(s)MTR (Macau), 100% owned subsidiary of MTR Corporation Limited
Technical
System length9.3 km (6 mi)
Track gaugeN/A - rubber tired wheels
Macau Light Rapid Transit
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese澳門輕軌系統
Simplified Chinese澳门轻轨系统
Portuguese name
PortugueseMetro Ligeiro de Macau

History

Conception

The LRT was first proposed in 2002 by the Macau SAR Government in the Policy Address for the Fisical Year 2003 by then Chief Executive of Macau Edmund Ho[4] as a method to "solve the urban transport issues". In the same year, the Macau SAR Government entrusted the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway Corporation (Now MTR Corporation) to stage a preliminary study on a railway transport system. The original proposal was presented on 19 February 2003,[5] and recommended the construction of an elevated light metro in two stages: the first stage extends for 17 km with 15 stations going from Portas do Cerco and the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal to Macau Airport via the then constructing Sai Van Bridge, while the second stage would connect the airport with the Cotai (Lotus) Checkpoint and the East Asian Games Dome. The system would mainly cater to tourists, expecting them to take 85% of the projected 43,000 daily ridership, and was due to open in 2006.

The original proposal for the LRT was criticised by the public for being unable to handle the needs of Macau citizens, obstructing important views of the city, and also for being not cost-effective. Then Secretariat for Transport and Public Works Au Man Long decided to suspend plans for the LRT at 15 April 2003, citing the economic downturn caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak at the time.[6]

A second feasibility study was conducted in 2005 by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, analysing possible routes for the LRT. The second study recommended a mixed underground and elevated system, with three separate lines:[7] One peninsula encirclement line, one Macau-Taipa Line, and one Airport Line. Based on the second feasibility study and public opinion regarding it, the Macau SAR government in October 2006 released the Detailed Research Program for MLRT report that outlines a route for the LRT similar to the Phase I Line today. The report recommended elevating the entire LRT line in Phase I for budget reasons, and it proposed only one line that stretches for 22 km with 26 stations. The Macau SAR Government, after considering the opinions of the public, called for the construction of the LRT in November 2007 after publishing their optimisation program report months earlier. The optimisation program report stated that the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, together with an international consortium, should be tasked with the construction of the LRT.

Construction starts

In October 2009, the construction of the LRT was announced by the Macau SAR Government with the goal of the LRT being operational by 2013. Several changes were made to the plan, including reducing the number of stations to 21 and building part of the LRT running along Nam Van Lake underground or at the surface level.[7] However, due to the constant changes to the path of the LRT, as well as appeal from one of the tender companies, the start date for construction was delayed for multiple times, and substantial work on the LRT did not commence until 2 February 2012.

In December 2010, the government announced that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was chosen to provide the rolling stock and the system for the LRT, with a winning bid of 4.68 billion Macau Patacas. A contract would then be signed in March 2011, which would entail an order of 55 sets of 2-carriage rolling stock, as well as the accompanying communications and operating systems for the daily operation of the LRT.

The LRT improved transportation options between the Macau Peninsula, Taipa and Cotai, and relieve traffic congestion on roads and bridges. It is the first rapid transit system in Macau.

Site investigation work started in 2008, main construction work began on 21 February 2012 in Taipa,[8] with the Taipa section operated by 10 December 2019[1][9] and Macau Peninsula section to be operating sometime by the early 2020s. Despite the official schedule, analysts did project the initial phase to not be in operation until 2017.

In January 2018, the Secretariat for Transport and Public Works Raimundo Arrais do Rosário stated that the Macau section of the LRT was "not top priority" and that priority would be given to the East line, which was formally presented on the same day.

The Taipa line began operations on 10 December 2019 and initially offered free rides from its opening until 31 December, which was later extended to 31 January 2020.[10]

Network
Line Termini Commencement Length
km		 Stations
 Taipa  Ocean Taipa Ferry Terminal 10 December 2019[1] 9.3[1] 11
Network currently in operation

The LRT is a driverless rubber-tyred system, similar to the Singapore LRT. The Phase I line will run along elevated guideways separate from road traffic.

The LRT will consist of at least two phases:

  • Phase I Line (Macau-Taipa Line)
    Connecting major entry-exit points at the Macau Peninsula and the Taipa Island with residential and tourist areas. It will use reserved space in the lower deck of the Ponte de Sai Van (Sai Van Bridge) to connect to Taipa island. Only the Taipa and Cotai portions of this phase are currently in operation.
  • Phase II Line (Loop Line)
    Connecting the Barrier gate to A-Ma Temple via the inner harbour area, eventually forming a loop on the Macau peninsula.

Rolling stock
Ocean Cruiser
ManufacturerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Constructed2012-2016
Number built55 trains (110 cars)
Capacity105
Operator(s)Macau LRT
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminum
Car length11 metres (36 ft)
Width3 metres (9.8 ft)
Height4 metres (13 ft)
Doors4 sets (2 sets per side) per car

The LRT uses Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Mover APM vehicles with rubber tyres running on concrete tracks.[11] Mitsubishi supplied 55 two-car trains that are fully automated (driverless) and utilise a rubber-tyred APM system.[12] They have a capacity of up to 476 passengers.[11] The car is named Ocean Cruiser.[13]

Construction

The estimated construction cost for Phase 1 (with 21 stations) was revised in June 2011 from MOP 7.5 billion (about US$933 million) to MOP 11 billion (about US$1,370 million) including MOP 360 million for studies, MOP 4.9 billion for rolling stock and MOP 5.74 billion for construction.[14] The project will be financed by the Government of Macau and is scheduled to take about 48 months to complete. Construction of the Taipa section of Phase 1 started in late February 2012.[15]

Six design packages have been awarded and the open tenders were expected to be published by October 2011, starting by the Taipa packages C250 and C260.

On 19 January 2015, the Third Special Audit Report on the First Phase of the Light Rail Transit System was published by the Commission of Audit, which indicated that the construction of the Macau Light Rail Transit was delayed by 883 days.[16]

Opening Line/Section Terminals Length（km） Stations Status Note
10 December 2019[1]Taipa Line (previous name: Macau-Taipa Line Phase I (Taipa section))OceanTaipa Ferry Terminal9.311In operation
2023/2024[3] Taipa Line (Taipa-Barra section) Barra Oceano 1 Under construction
No timetable Seac Pai Van LinePosto Fronteiriço de LótusSeac Pai Van1.63Planned

Preliminary Construction in Progress
Macau Peninsula Line (North and South sections)Portas do CercoBarra11.710Planned
Macao Peninsula Line (Inner Harbour section)Portas do CercoBarra4.56/7Planned
Hengqin Extension LinePosto Fronteiriço de LótusPorto de Hengqin/Flor de Lótus3.33Detailed Feasibility Study
Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge LineTerminal Marítimo do Porto ExteriorPonte Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau3Planned
Macao Peninsula East LinePortas do Cerco Terminal Marítimo da Taipa 7.8 >6Detailed Study and Design in progress
Taipa Northern Link>2Proposed

Power source

To power up the operation of the LRT, CEM will build two primary substations.[17]

Stations
Long-term plans of the Macau Light Rapid Transit

Taipa line
Main article: Taipa line

The initial phase of Taipa Line has 11 stations with three planned extensions.

  • Taipa–Barra extension
  • Norte de Cotai extension
  • Hengqin extension

Seac Pai Van line

Seac Pai Van line will connect Taipa line with Seac Pai Van with an additional extension into Coloane.

Ponte HKMZ Shuttle line

Ponte HKMZ Shuttle line will connect Península line, Leste line, & the HKZMB Checkpoint.

Leste line

Leste line will connect the Península line with the Taipa line thru Macau New Urban Zone A zone.

Península line

Península line will serve the eastern Macau Peninsula with an additional extension along Porto Interior.

Pricing

Ticket prices are based on the number of stations a passenger travels through. Those who pay with a stored-value LRT card will receive discounted fares.

Children below one meter in height can travel for free. All prices are in MOP.

Number of Stations Single Journey

Adult

 Single Journey

Concessionary

 LRT Card

Adult

 LRT Card

(Student)

 LRT Card

(Elderly and Disabled)

0-3 6 3 3 1.5 Free
4-6 8 4 4 2
7-10 10 5 5 2.5

See also

References
  1. "Macao LRT Opens next Tuesday, Free Rides until End of the Year". Macao Light Rapid Transit Corporation, Limited. 6 December 2019.
  2. "Light Rail Transit firm to be set up before the middle of the year". macaunews.mo. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  3. "LRT trains to run from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: govt". macaunews.mo. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  4. "Policy Address for the Fisical Year 2003" (PDF) (Press release). Web: Macau SAR Government. 20 November 2002. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  5. 總造價廿七至卅億 輕鐵擬○六開通 [Total Cost of Construction 2.7 to 3 billion; Light Rail proposed to open at '06]. Macao Daily News (in Chinese). Macao. 20 February 2003.
  6. 現階段條件未足 緩建輕軌 [Current Conditions Insufficient; LRT Construction Plans Suspended]. Macao Daily News (in Chinese). Macao. 16 April 2003.
  7. "Progress for the Macao LRT". Gabinete para as Infras-estructuras de Transportes. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  8. "Arranque oficial da obra de construção dos segmentos do sistema de Metro Ligeiro" [Official start of the construction work for segments of the Light Metro system]. Gabinete para as Infra-estruturas de Transportes (in Portuguese). 21 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  9. 柳暗花明又一村 與承建商協議解約 輕軌車廠工程明年重啟 最快回歸二十年通車. Macao Daily News (in Chinese). 18 November 2015. p. A3.
  10. "Free LRT trips for one more month after 3rd glitch". Macau News. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  11. Leung, Natalie (31 December 2010). "Mitsubishi wins LRT tender". Macau Daily Times. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013.
  12. "MHI Receives Order for Macau Light Rapid Transit (MLRT) Phase 1" (Press release). Mitsubishi Press Information. 3 March 2011. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  13. "The 1:1 scale Mockup of LRT has arrived". Gabinete para as Infra-estruturas de Transportes. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  14. "Governo revê em alta orçamento do metro ligeiro" [Government revises high-budget light rail]. SAPO Notícias (in Portuguese). 24 June 2011.
  15. "Macau starts light rail construction" Archived 27 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Macau News, 22 February 2012.
  16. Lau, João Pedro (20 January 2015). "Audit Report Predicts Massive LRT Budget Blowout". Macau Daily Times. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  17. "Cable maintenance strengthened to avoid blackouts". Macau Daily Times. 9 April 2015.
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