Leaks and corrosion persist at LRT Lotus Station

Water leakage at Lotus Station leaves the platform floor visibly wet

LRT passengers have reported persistent water leakage and rust issues at the Lotus Station platform, prompting questions about station design and maintenance. Concerns surfaced after citizens reported wet and slippery conditions on the platform during rainfall, with rusty iron bars visible on the semi-open-air structure.

Video footage captured by the Chinese media outlet All About Macau (AAM) on July 28 shows water dripping from lamp grooves on the platform’s roof, far from the station’s open-air middle section.

Publicly shared images acquired by the Times show rusting on the iron bars, indicating prolonged water damage to the station’s infrastructure.

It is suggested that water might be accumulating above the lamp slots, gradually seeping through and collecting on the platforms even during light rain.

These conditions have raised safety and design quality concerns among residents. Locals navigating the Lotus Station platform have reported the ongoing presence of stagnant water, creating slippery walking conditions.

The platform, which has been in operation since the Taipa Line’s opening in December 2019, suffers from repeated water inflow. This is especially troublesome as the adjacent platform serves the more recently opened Hengqin Line.

It was previously indicated by former Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo Arrais do Rosario that Macau’s Taipa Light Rail Line cost about MOP10.2 billion to build, but ticket sales continue to make up only a small fraction of its total revenue.

According to the LRT Corporation’s annual report, ticket revenues totaled approximately MOP27.74 million, roughly 3.6% of overall income, while public subsidies accounted for 88% of funding.

Total revenue for the year was MOP770 million, a slight decline of 0.5% compared to the previous year. Ridership has also varied in 2025, with average daily passengers reaching 27,100 in February and, more recently, 19,800 in June.