Taiwan is set to enhance its national rail connectivity with the approval of two significant high-speed rail expansion projects. The Executive Yuan has greenlit the construction of new lines to Yilan County and a connection from Kaohsiung to Pingtung County. These projects, spearheaded by Premier Cho Jung-tai, mark a pivotal step in Taiwan’s efforts to streamline transportation and reduce travel times across key regions.
The first project involves a 60.6-kilometre extension from Nangang to Yilan, with an estimated cost of NT$352.2 billion (US$10.9 billion). This new line, once completed, promises to cut travel time between Taipei and Yilan to just 28 minutes, a significant improvement over the current rail services. The route is planned to start at Nangang HSR Station in Taipei and traverse several districts in New Taipei City, including Sijhih, Pingsi, Shuangsi, and Gongliao, before reaching Yilan via Toucheng and Jiaosi townships. It will culminate at a new high-speed rail station near the Yilan County Government complex, providing seamless access to the Yilan Railway Station.
Construction of the Yilan extension is anticipated to conclude by 2037. The Railway Bureau forecasts that the line will serve approximately 27,000 passengers on weekdays and 60,000 on weekends by 2051, highlighting its potential impact on daily commuting and tourism.
In addition to the Yilan project, the Executive Yuan has also approved a 26.22-kilometre extension connecting Zuoying HSR Station in Kaohsiung to a planned station in Lioukuaitso, Pingtung City, via Kaohsiung Railway Station. The authorities are set to complete the project’s second-stage environmental impact assessment in the coming year, further advancing this crucial development.
These expansions are integral components of the government’s comprehensive strategy to establish a national rail network capable of facilitating travel across Taiwan in four interconnected 90-minute segments. The plan also encompasses the upgrade of the Hualien–Taitung railway into a double-track electrified line and improvements to the South Link Line between Taitung and Pingtung. These enhancements aim to bolster capacity, improve resilience against extreme weather, and significantly strengthen Taiwan’s transportation infrastructure.