Transportation
Kaohsiung is reviewing plans to extend its MRT network farther east, with future routes aimed at improving connections to Jiuqutang Station (九曲堂站), Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (佛光山佛陀紀念館), Dashu (大樹), and Cishan (旗山).
The “Friendly Relay Program” will commence on July 1. YouBike members will automatically receive a NT$5 riding coupon when they borrow a bike from a full station, helping free up a dock, or return a bike to an empty station, helping make a bike available for the next rider.
The company recorded an operating loss of more than NT$44 million, plus non-operating losses of almost NT$18 million, bringing its net loss to more than NT$62.18 million. It was the company’s largest annual loss since pandemic restrictions were lifted in 2021. Accumulated losses now stand at more than NT$1.2 billion, reports said.
The report also found that most violations occurred during off-peak hours, which accounted for 75 percent to more than 85 percent of cases. The bureau said lighter traffic may cause some drivers to lower their guard or take more risks. Among peak periods, violations were more common from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. than during the morning rush hour, with the afternoon peak about 5 percent to 10 percent higher. The bureau said the difference could be linked to drivers rushing after work or school.
The case is at least the seventh publicly reported light rail-related incident or safety issue this year, including two collisions. The city’s Mass Rapid Transit Bureau said there were 24 light rail collision accidents in 2025, down from 33 in 2024.
The proposed stop is part of the city’s plan to extend railway grade-separation work toward Ciaotou (橋頭) and Daliao (大寮). The broader project is expected to cost more than NT$100 billion and includes two proposed commuter stations: TSMC Station and Ciaotou Qingpu Station (橋頭青埔站).
The new Tainan-Penghu route would allow travelers in the Tainan area to depart directly from Jiangjun instead of traveling to Kaohsiung or Chiayi to take a boat to Penghu, officials said.
The Transportation Bureau (高雄市交通局) said traffic controls would be introduced around major tourist sites during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday from June 19 to 21, with large crowds expected at Cijin, Sizihwan, Hamasen, Pier-2, Shoushan Zoo, Fo Guang Shan, Cishan, Meinong, and Dream Mall. During the holiday, tourists with gasoline-powered scooters will be barred from boarding the Gushan-Cijin ferry from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Cijin residents, electric scooter riders, cyclists, and people on official business are exempt from the restriction.
The United Daily News reported that Taichung’s Blue Line has not yet begun main civil construction, but its original budget of NT$161.5 billion is no longer sufficient. The Taichung Mass Rapid Transit Bureau estimates that the project may require nearly NT$100 billion more to complete the 11 underground stations.
According to recent reporting, there are estimates that by 2051, daily passenger volume at the future HSR Pingtung station could exceed 7,000, with peak-hour traffic approaching 900 passengers. Supporters say the project would improve access to Pingtung and support wider development around the future station. But the latest traffic projections show that the benefits of high-speed rail will depend not only on the rail line itself, but also on whether local roads and connecting transport can keep pace.