The average number of daily passengers of the Taipa Line of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) has reached a record high – totaling 2,600 in July — since it began collecting tolls in February 2020, the operator Macao Light Rapid Transit Corporation revealed yesterday.
The July tally represents an increase of 900 when compared to the 1,700 recorded in the previous month, and an rise of 36.8% year-on-year.
The Taipa Line commenced a trial operation on December 10, 2019. The operator initially planned to offer free rides for all passengers until December 31, 2019, but the toll-free period was extended until January 31, 2020 due to three glitches occurring in less than three weeks since the opening.
During the toll-free period, the LRT registered the highest average daily passenger number at 33,000 in the first month of operation in December 2019, followed by 16,000 in January 2020.
Immediately after it started charging passengers, the average daily passenger number plunged to 1,100 in February last year, dropping by a remarkable 14,900. Ever since, the average daily passenger number has hovered between 1000 and 2000.
In the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly (AL) on August 3, some lawmakers criticized the low profitability of the LRT and its minimal contribution to the local job market.
Several lawmakers including Agnes Lam and Au Kam San suggested that the government consider other ways to reduce losses, such as reducing the frequency of LRT services, especially during the evening and off-peak hours.
In response, Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo Arrais do Rosário, said, “Reducing frequency will not save a lot, so we hope to continue to operate in the same way and try, instead, to attract more passengers [over time] to use the system instead of reducing operations.”
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