By RK Shih/Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Ridership on the Kaohsiung Light Rail (高雄輕軌) continued to climb in 2025 following completion of its full circular route, with the strongest growth coming from passengers traveling for medical care and school, according to city data cited by Liberty Times.
Statistics from the Kaohsiung City Rapid Transit Bureau show total light-rail ridership exceeded 13.33 million trips in 2025, a new high. Compared with the previous year, medical-related trips rose 19.3%, while student commuting increased 14.0%. Transfer ridership grew 14.4%, and tourism-related travel rose 11.4%, underscoring the system’s shift from a mainly sightseeing line to a daily-use transit network.
City officials said the completed loop now directly links major destinations such as Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區), Dream Mall (夢時代), the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (美術館), schools, and major medical facilities, while offering seamless transfers to MRT, bus, and Taiwan Railways services.
The improved connectivity is also reshaping nearby real estate markets. Market surveys cited by Liberty Times indicate that areas along the light rail from the Museum of Fine Arts to the Aihe Heart station C24 Aihe Heart (C24 愛河之心站) have seen new residential prices stabilize in the “50,000-per-ping” range. Land along the corridor has become increasingly scarce, drawing developer interest to stations serving medical centers, schools, and major shopping districts.
Further north, sections between C25 and C31—including parts of the planned 107th Redevelopment Zone (第107期重劃區)—are emerging as new focal points for residential and mixed-use projects, driven by expectations that steady light-rail ridership will continue to support long-term demand.
