The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today reviewed preparations for the operation of the Taipa line on Macao’s Light Rapid Transport (LRT) system.

In order to gain better insight on the operation of the Taipa line, the Chief Executive visited the LRT’s depot, including an operational control centre. He later rode in one of the rail system’s “Ocean Cruiser” passenger cars.

During the visit to the LRT facilities, Mr Chui was briefed on: the progress of the Taipa line and related facilities; features of the LRT’s automated and driverless system; and information relating to tests of the sub-systems of the Taipa line.

While riding on the LRT route, Mr Chui also received a briefing on the layout of the Taipa line, including: the design features of stations; environmental protection measures taken where the LRT line passes near Cotai ecological zones; the capacity of each carriage and the speed of the LRT system; and information about construction that would link the Taipa line to Barra on the Macao peninsula, and how the Taipa line would connect to the planned Seac Pai Van line.

Mr Chui said he had paid close attention to the issue of what would be the operating hours of the Taipa line once it opened. There were also discussions regarding: arrangements for how the Taipa line would connect to the Seac Pai Van line and to a station that would serve the under-construction Islands District Medical Complex; how to increase culturally-relevant and creative elements in the design of stations and carriages; and pedestrian flow on the overhead walkways serving LRT stations.

Accompanying Mr Chui on the visit to the LRT facilities were some principal Government officials, the Public Prosecutor-General, and members of the Executive Council.

The LRT Taipa Line is about 9.3 kilometres in length and consists of 11 stations. The line covers, respectively: the main residential communities in the centre of Taipa; Taipa old village; and the adjacent tourist area. The line also links with three major entry ports to Macao serving sea, land and air transport respectively.

The LRT depot, the heart of the Macao LRT system, covers approximately 130,000 square metres. The LRT depot consists of two construction projects for, respectively the foundations of the depot and for its superstructure. The latter consists of the administrative building – i.e. the operational control centre – a workshop, maintenance building, rolling-stock yard and vehicle-washing facility. At the washing facility, a 600-metre test track has been constructed to monitor the LRT system’s rolling stock.

To maximise the efficiency of the entire LRT system, the Government has accelerated construction of infrastructure facilities that would link the Taipa line to Barra, and to what would be the Seac Pai Van line. In addition, the Government has commissioned research to consider the feasibility of an east line as part of what would be the Macao Peninsula line.