LRT ridership up 6% in April after March decline

The Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system transported an average of 25,900 passengers per day in April, representing a 5.71% increase month-on-month.
This increase followed the drop recorded in March (-9.59%), bringing the daily average figure back to the new standard range of 25,000 to 26,000.

Year-on-year, the figure for April 2025 represents an increase of 112.3%, driven by the introduction of two extension lines: the Seac Pai Van Line and the Hengqin Line, which have contributed to doubling the number of passengers transported by the system.

Still, the number of passengers transported by the system – which the government aims to make a central part of the public transport network – falls short of expectations.

When it was announced, the authorities forecast a daily ridership of 43,000 passengers, not including the Seac Pai Van and Hengqin Lines.

In recent years, public opinion and lawmakers’ statements have targeted the system, calling on the government to expand payment options and improve the connections between the LRT and public buses, taxis, and pedestrian pathways to facilitate its use by residents and visitors.

LRT failures continue

Another issue cited as undermining passenger trust is the recurrence of system failures.
The latest occurred last Sunday, when a train reportedly malfunctioned at Stadium Station in Taipa around 11:14 p.m.

lthough no reason was cited for the malfunction, the Transport Bureau stated that it caused only a “slight delay in the Taipa Line service.” The bureau added that the problem was resolved approximately 24 minutes later, with services gradually returning to normal.

On April 20, the LRT system experienced another failure. Service was interrupted for approximately two hours, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., due to a power outage.

In that case, the Fire Services Bureau reported receiving a call about a passenger trapped inside the train who was feeling unwell. However, after a preliminary evaluation, the person declined to be taken to the hospital for observation.

According to the LRT company, the failure affected four trains on the route between Barra and Union Hospital stations.

Some passengers criticized the LRT company’s lack of communication, noting that they were only made aware of the problem through notices posted at the stations.