Ella Lei calls for transfer discounts to boost land-based Guangdong-Macautransport links

Lawmaker Ella Lei urged authorities to leverage the “Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Development Strategy Study” to introduce transfer discounts linking LRT, buses, and high-speed rail as part of broader efforts to boost land-based Guangdong-Macau transport links.

Citing the national “15th Five-Year Plan” Outline, which calls for deeper Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau cooperation, breakthroughs in key areas, coordinated port-airport-rail development, and the advancement of the Guangzhou–Zhuhai (Macau) high-speed rail to drive regional integration, the legislator noted that Macau’s railway system still has limited carrying capacity and needs improvement in network coverage, frequency, and transfer efficiency. Major border crossings continue to face severe clearance and congestion pressures during peak hours.

Lei noted that the LRT system’s daily average ridership has recently risen to over 33,000 passengers, dwarfed by bus ridership, which has exceeded 600,000 per day.

According to the long-term priority work plan set forth in the authorities’ Land Transport Master Plan (2021–2030), strategic efforts are to be directed toward strengthening the integration of green transportation modes, with particular emphasis on supporting the opening of the LRT system, refining bus routes and stops through optimization and adjustments, and enhancing the pedestrian network surrounding the railway system and bus stations.

The lawmaker contends that authorities must implement transfer-discount mechanisms linking the LRT, buses, and mainland China’s high-speed rail; review future fare structures; promote seamless integration between LRT and high-speed rail services; optimize the bus feeder network; facilitate interoperability of ticketing and payment systems; and introduce convenient top-up options at light rail stations.

She further proposed establishing an efficient “alight, clear customs, transfer” passenger flow model at Hengqin Port, improving the checkpoint’s role as a transportation hub, and enhancing related supporting infrastructure.