The Taipa section of the Light Rapid Transit rail system would start operation in 2019, said today the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário.

Major construction work for the 9.3-kilometre Taipa section – which will have 11 stations – would be completed by the end of this year, he stated.

Mr Rosário said expenses relating to the Taipa section of the Light Rapid Transit system should be no more than 11 billion patacas; with the estimate including fees relating to construction of a depot in Taipa.

Mr Rosário made his comments to reporters today after a committee meeting at the Legislative Assembly.

The Government would also start analysing how to connect the Taipa section with a station planned for a site near A-Ma Temple on Macao Peninsula. The latter station would also be part of the planned Macao Peninsula section of the Light Rapid Transit system.

The Secretary additionally gave more details regarding the section of the Light Rapid Transit system that is due to connect Taipa and Coloane. The two-kilometre route would have stations serving the proposed Islands District Medical Complex and the Seac Pai Van public housing estate, he said.

The Secretary further stated the Government was in discussion with the mainland authorities regarding a proposed section of the Light Rapid Transit system that would connect Macao to Hengqin Island, in Zhuhai Prefecture on the mainland.