President Tsai Ing-wen inaugurated an elevated railway and five stations Oct. 28 in Taichung City, describing the initiatives as key pillars in central and local government efforts fast-tracking public transportation and urban development in the central Taiwan metropolis.
The projects, which form part of the Taiwan Railways Administration system, are a major milestone for Taichung, Tsai said. The elevated railway is anticipated to save the city more than NT$4.6 billion (US$148.4 million) per year and spur economic, environmental and urban activity, she added.
According to Tsai, this will be achieved through streamlined train operating costs and reduced travel times for commuters. The removal of ground rail tracks is also set to improve the flow of traffic while freeing up valuable property for future urban use, she said.
The new stations are expected to make a major contribution to improving the quality of life in Taichung, Tsai said, citing greater convenience for residents and the creation of new business opportunities in the surrounding areas.
Tsai said the elevated railway is a major component of the city’s under-construction metro, with additional track-building plans set for implementation under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. These measures are helping Taichung move closer to becoming the first metropolis in Taiwan to boast a circle line, she added.
Passed by the Legislature in July 2017, the NT$840 billion eight-year FIDP underpins the government’s goal of engineering Taiwan’s economic revitalization and industrial transformation. It includes projects spanning railway development, digital infrastructure, aquatic environment, food safety, green energy, urban-rural development, boosting birth rates and child care facilities, and nurturing talent and employment. (SFC-E)
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