Challenges remain for New Taipei metro post-earthquake

NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The New Taipei Metro has spent five years building a railroad connecting Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan. With 26 new stations added, New Taipei is poised to become a central hub in the "three-ring, six-line" mass rapid transit system by 2030.

According to Mayor Hou Yu-ih, the six lines of the New Taipei Metro include the Sanying Line, Wanda-Zhonghe Line, Tucheng-Shulin Line, Circular Line, Xizhi-Donghu Line, Keelung Metro, and Danhai Light Rail II. Also, three light rail lines — Wugu-Taishan, Bali, and Shenkeng — are set to be constructed concurrently.

The new railroads will transform New Taipei. The Wugu-Taishan Light Rail, for example, features government incentives for urban renewal, while the Bali and Shenkeng Light Rail are designed to boost the local tourism industry.

However, the metro operation faces challenges following the April 3 Hualien Earthquake. The region between Banqiao Station and Zhonghe Station requires extensive rebuilding. Operations will not resume until experts confirm safety.