Transport | First batch of LRT trains arrives

The first batch of Macau’s Light Rapid Transit (LRT) trains arrived in Macau yesterday morning.

The trains, manufactured by Japan’s Mitsubishi Group, had been shipped to Macau from Japan on October 20.

According to a statement published yesterday by the Transportation Infrastructure Office (GIT), the boat carrying the trains docked at the Ka Ho Port in Coloane.

The trains are expected to be transported to Ocean Station next week, where tests will be carried out to assess several technical aspects.

The batch consists of four carriages weighing about 15 tons, each with a length of 11.8 meters, a width of 2.8 meters, a height of 3.6 meters.

After winning the bid to manufacture carriages for the local LRT system, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries proposed three models – which differed mainly in color and some aesthetic features. The government held an online vote in September 2011 for residents to choose a model. According to Mitsubishi, the winning model, “Ocean Cruise”, shows that Macau is a city with a strong maritime tradition.

The Taipa Line is scheduled to commence operations in 2019. PB