• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Light rail Taipa section operational in 2019: govt

Jun 24, 2016 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Light rail Taipa section operational in 2019: govt

Macau’s Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosário (pictured), confirmed on Thursday that the Taipa section of the under-construction light rail transit system would start operation in 2019.

Major building work for the 9.3-kilometre (5.8-mile) Taipa section – which will have 11 stations and serve all the existing and under-construction Cotai casino resorts – would be completed by the end of this year, Mr Rosário said, following a meeting with members of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr Rosário said expenses relating to the Taipa section of the light rail system should not exceed MOP11 billion (US$1.38 billion); with the estimate including fees relating to construction of a depot in Taipa.

The construction of the Taipa section of the rail system has suffered several delays. At one point it was slated to start operating this year, but in December Mr Rosário had indicated to legislators the revised date would be 2019.

The Taipa stretch of the system will also connect the Cotai resorts to Macau International Airport and the new Pac On ferry terminal located near the airport.

A number of investment analysts have expressed concerns that with the Macau gaming market increasingly focusing on mass-market customers, delays regarding public infrastructure projects could be a negative for the new Cotai resorts. Several casino resorts are opening on various dates between this year and the end of 2017.

Japanese brokerage Nomura said in a recent note that attracting foot traffic to the soon to be opened Wynn Palace is likely to be “challenging” until the light rail system is completed.

The US$4.2-billion Wynn Palace, likely to open in the third quarter this year, is being developed by Wynn Macau Ltd. The firm has not yet confirmed an opening date for the property.

In a note on Thursday, Morgan Stanley Research said the construction of a light rail station in front of the entrance of Wynn Palace “could also slow down” the ramp up of the property.

“There is the potential for short-term stock outperformance between now and August 22 (the expected Wynn Palace opening),” said analysts Praveen Choudhary and Alex Poon. “But consensus expectations of 2017 estimate EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation] of US$450 million to US$600 million for Wynn Palace may be missed given soft demand,” they added.

No timetable has yet been announced for the start of construction on the Macau peninsula section of the rail link.

On Thursday, Mr Rosário stated the Macau government was in discussion with the mainland authorities regarding a proposed section of the light rail system that would connect Macau to Hengqin Island on the mainland.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau visitor tally up 14pct m-o-m in February
    Macau visitor tally up 14pct m-o-m in...

    Mar 17, 2023  

  • U.S.-linked Macau ops see pent up demand: JPM forum
    U.S.-linked Macau ops see pent up...

    Mar 15, 2023  

More news
  • Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp
    Main-building work at Naga 3 begins...

    Mar 24, 2023  

  • Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch
    Macau diversification into non-gaming...

    Mar 24, 2023  


Latest News

Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp

Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp

Mar 24, 2023  

Piling work for Naga 3, an addition to the NagaWorld gaming complex in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, was at “96 percent completion”, said the promoter’s 2022 annual report, issued on...
Read More
Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch

Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch

Mar 24, 2023  

Osaka to up ‘gambling addiction’ centres before IR opens

Osaka to up ‘gambling addiction’ centres before IR

Mar 24, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


April 8, 2028

Completion deadline for 'Marina Bay Sands 2.0', as authorised by Singapore’s authorities



Most Popular

  • Sands China woos Singaporeans as Air Macau opens routeSands China woos Singaporeans as Air Macau opens route March 23, 2023
  • Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: FitchMacau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch March 24, 2023
  • Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorpMain-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp March 24, 2023
  • LVS gets 1-year extension for Marina Bay Sands 2.0 startLVS gets 1-year extension for Marina Bay Sands 2.0 start March 24, 2023
  • Universal Ent affiliate to develop land next to Okada ManilaUniversal Ent affiliate to develop land next to Okada Manila March 24, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us