TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei's MRT system is an integral part of most residents' daily lives. However, 2.35 million people need to take the MRT every day for it to turn a profit.
After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, daily ridership is currently at 1.56 million, spelling trouble for the public transportation system.
Before winning the Taipei mayoral election in November, Chiang Wan-an proposed changes to the MRT system. As he prepares to assume the post, more ideas are needed to increase profits.
In the past, Taipei MRT had to rely on affiliated businesses to balance the books. After the pandemic, the deficit has become even more severe, with Taipei MRT seeing NT＄5.91 billion in losses last year.
According to National Taiwan University Civil Engineering Professor Jason Chang, some things should be adjusted to make the MRT system better for locals.
He pointed out that MRT stations today are either "isolated islands" located far from residential areas or are surrounded by luxurious real estate properties that few young people can afford.
This defies the original purpose of public transportation systems, Chang said.
He added: "In planning and designing, how can we combine TOD, the clear thinking of good public transportation development with land planning, with urban renewal, with urban design, integrate them together?"
With three new MRT lines in the city's current plans, working out the construction budget, station flow, and material shortage is an issue that needs to be solved by the new Taipei City mayor.
