Browsing: Kaohsiung transportation

As of early July, the second phase of the Gangshan-Lujhu extension (岡山路竹延伸線) was 28.53% complete, 2.94 percentage points ahead of schedule. The Yellow Line was 12.71% complete, 1.64 percentage points ahead of schedule, while the Siaogang-Linyuan Line (小港林園線) was 15.43% complete, 1.9 percentage points ahead of schedule.

Light rail ridership exceeded 7.21 million trips during the first half of 2026, rising from 6.66 million during the same period last year, according to Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp. The total was also higher than the 6.58 million passenger trips recorded during the first six months of 2024.

For the long term, Lai said the city should evaluate a 24-hour offshore airport near the waters off the Nansing Project Area (南星計畫區). He said an offshore site could reduce the effect of nighttime takeoffs and landings on urban neighborhoods while supporting international cargo and long-haul routes.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications Freeway Bureau (交通部高速公路局) on Wednesday issued a second tender for the C705S Siaogang section (小港路段), with a budget of more than NT$17.9 billion. The section is considered important because it is near the port end of the planned freeway, which is intended to improve freight movement and reduce congestion on National Freeway No. 1 and major roads in Greater Kaohsiung.

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).

An environmental group has criticized the project, saying the sites were originally tree pits and that trees would provide better cooling than umbrellas. The group said the shades block sunlight but do not lower urban temperatures.

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 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).