The Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system reported a slight passenger recovery in July compared to the previous month. According to the company’s data, the system transported an average of 20,300 passengers per day in July, an increase of 2.53% month over month.
Still, July’s number represents an increase of just 500 passengers per day compared to June, a month marked by the most significant drop of the year.
In June, the LRT transported an average of 19,800 passengers per day, representing a drop of 19.84% compared to the previous month (May). Before that, and in the first five months of this year, the LRT system reported an annual average of 25,500 passengers per day, which has now dropped to 23,943.
For the time being, the Macao Light Rail Transit Corp. Ltd. has not offered any explanation for the sudden drop in passengers, which contradictorily happens at a time of a surge in visitors to Macau and the reported increasing use of the Hengqin Port as an entry and exit point for visitors to Macau.
The ‘new lines’ effect is wearing off
When compared year-on-year, the July 2025 figure is still 53.79% higher than July 2024, when the LRT recorded 13,200 passengers per day.
Still, it is worth noting that one year ago, the LRT had just one line (Taipa Line) in operation, while currently, two extension lines (Seac Pai Van and Hengqin) have been added.
The novelty effect of these lines raised the passenger figures, particularly from December last year (23,100). It continued at around 25,000 or more in the first five months of this year, bringing the figures to an increase that reached over twofold the previous year in March, April, and May.
As July results might indicate, the novelty effect that makes many people “try the new thing” has worn off. The month posted the lowest year-on-year increase (53.8%) since the opening of the new LRT lines.
Potentially accountable for the drop in passengers are the poor conditions of the LRT stations, as noticed by many passengers and as the Times also previously reported. Particularly during the rainy season and summer peak, when temperatures are very high, passengers have been reporting that most LRT stations offer poor coverage from the heavy rainfall and protection from the heat.
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