East and South extensions lead next phase of LRT expansion

[Photo: Nadia Shaw]

The Public Works Bureau (DSOP) will accelerate the expansion of the city’s light rail transit system after a public consultation showed strong support for rail-led transport planning, officials said Friday. DSOP said the release of its consultation report marks a new phase in LRT planning.

DSOP consolidated more than 800 public submissions into what director Lam Wai Hou described as “a concrete result of gathering social wisdom and reflecting public expectations.”

Lam emphasized that authorities would “actively promote the early commencement and operation of the East Line extension,” while working to “accelerate progress on the South Line,” calling the two projects critical to improving border connectivity, linking tourism and cultural districts, and easing traffic congestion.

Lam added that the government would align LRT development with national strategies while incorporating public input. “The team will deeply understand the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important speech and translate it into governance actions,” he said.

Public support and participation

The LRT consultation, held between Jan. 23 and Feb. 28, collected more than 800 submissions through public sessions, online platforms, and written channels. Six sessions were organized, including forums for industry representatives and public meetings attended by about 380 people.

After manual review and screening, 772 opinions were deemed valid.

According to DSOP, 92% of views on proposed routes were positive. Respondents said an expanded network would help ease congestion, improve cross-district mobility, and support more sustainable urban development.

Many respondents also called for stronger links to border checkpoints, residential districts, and tourism areas, as well as seamless transfers and better accessibility.

Concerns and constraints

Despite the overall support, respondents raised concerns about environmental impact, construction costs, and operational efficiency.

According to the report, route alignment was the most frequently discussed issue, followed by environmental protection, station design, and cost-effectiveness.

Residents also highlighted potential noise, ecological disruption, and visual impacts, particularly from elevated sections.

Others questioned station locations and how well new lines would integrate with existing transport systems.

Officials said these issues would be addressed in the next phase of planning, which will proceed in a “pragmatic and prudent” manner.

Priority routes and expansion

DSOP identified the East Line extension and South Line as priority projects.

“The commencement of the East Line extension and its entry into operation as soon as possible will be actively promoted,” Lam said, adding that efforts would also be made to “accelerate progress on the South Line.”

The East Line extension is expected to strengthen connections between border crossings and urban districts. Meanwhile, the Seac Pai Van Line extension emerged as the most discussed proposal, accounting for about 30% of mentions.

Respondents said the Seac Pai Van extension could help address transport isolation in Coloane and support tourism and community development, although some raised concerns about environmental and neighborhood impacts.

Other proposed routes, including lines serving Taipa and northern districts, prompted calls for better system integration, unified technical standards, and more efficient interchange design.

South Line

Lam said the South Line would run 7.7 kilometers from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge port through New Urban Zone Area A, ZAPE, Nam Van, and Sai Van before terminating at Barra.

Given its route through established urban areas, the project will require feasibility studies and geological assessments. Lam said phased development remains under consideration, including the option of first constructing the section linking the bridge port to New Urban Zone Area A to enable early interchange with the Taipa Line and the planned East Line, which is expected to open in 2029.

Once completed alongside the East Line extension, the LRT network would extend to about 26 kilometers with 23 stations, reaching the scale envisioned in the initial system plan.

Officials added that the LRT expansion strategy will align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan and Macau’s third five-year plan, while strengthening links with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Hengqin cooperation zone. Lam said enhancing cross-border connectivity would remain central.

“This will shorten spatial distances between regions and promote efficient flows,” the DSOP director said, adding that future expansion and infrastructure coordination are being built into the plan.