Published on: January 26, 2026, at 11:35 AM.
Updated on: January 26, 2026, at 11:35 AM.
- Macau is exploring the potential for a significant expansion of its public rail system.
- The surge in tourism has led to increased demand for public transportation.
- In 2025, Macau achieved a new record for annual visitors.
The Macau Light Rapid Transit system is set to undergo its first extensive expansion since commencing operations shortly before the pandemic.
The Macau Light Rapid Transit, which is the city’s inaugural rail system, officially launched in December 2019. The existing network includes three lines: the Taipa Line running from the Barra border check to the Taipa Ferry Terminal, the Seac Pai Van Line operating in Cotai from Union Hospital to Seac Pai Van Zoo, and the Hengqin Line linking Lotus Station with the Hengqin checkpoint.
Recently, the Macau Public Works Bureau has introduced plans to expand the Light Rapid Transit, aiming to enhance connectivity in the downtown area and extend services to the Cotai Strip and southern regions, including Cologne.
Currently under construction, the East Line is expected to debut in 2029, running from Qingmao Port and the Border Gate south through Citizens Sports Park to the Taipa Ferry Terminal. As of now, the East Line is approximately 50% complete.
Additional proposed lines encompass the West Line, South Line, and an extension of the East Line.
The Macau Light Rapid Transit recorded an average of 26,400 daily riders in 2025, peaking at 32,600 passengers in November. The automated trains can accommodate up to 476 passengers simultaneously.
Casino Rail Stops
Among the six new transit lines proposed is the South Line, designed to run underground from Barra to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Frontier Post. This line will feature nine stations, catering to notable casinos such as Wynn and MGM Macau, StarWorld, and Sands Macau.
Officials from Macau assert that the proposed expansions will address the city’s deficiency in rail transit at critical entry points, while also mitigating the reliance on public buses and casino shuttle services.
However, these additional lines are not finalized yet, as the local government has only commenced a public consultation regarding the “Macau Light Rail Development Strategy Study,” which is scheduled for a 30-day duration.
Record Visitation
The primary users of Macau’s public transit are middle- and lower-income residents and mainland Chinese commuting to the area for work. Nevertheless, with the shift in the casino industry’s focus from high-rollers to the general populace, there is an escalating demand for enhanced public transportation options.
In 2025, Macau set a record by hosting 40 million visitors, a nearly 15% increase compared to the previous year, in a region covering less than 46 square miles. This surge in tourism catapulted the six casinos to earn a combined total of $30.9 billion from gamblers, marking a 9.1% increase year-over-year and the highest revenue since 2019.