TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Severe congestion plagued the Taipei Metro's (台北捷運) Bannan (板南) Line during Monday's (Aug. 19) rush hour, prompting frustrated commuters to flood social media with complaints. Passengers described overwhelming crowds at Xinpu (新埔) and Banqiao (板橋) stations through posts on Threads, the social media platform. One commuter captured chaotic scenes at Xinpu Station, comparing the dense crowds to New Year's Eve celebrations in the capital.
Transit authorities implemented new routing changes Monday (Aug. 18), redirecting two trains to collect passengers at Jiangzicui Station (江子翠站). The operational adjustment created a cascading effect of overcrowding at both Banqiao Station and Xinpu Station. Passengers found themselves stranded on platforms, unable to squeeze onto already packed train cars during the morning commute.
Train frequency remained at two-minute intervals between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, yet passengers at Longshan Temple (龍山寺) Station still struggled to board overcrowded cars. The metro system had previously deployed six additional trains toward Kunyang (昆陽) Station since June 2, with two stopping at Banqiao and four at Far Eastern Hospital (亞東醫院) station. Recent routing adjustments have intensified commuter frustration across the busy transit network. ◼
