TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei City's (新北市) MRT Bureau announced Tuesday (Aug. 19) that the ambitious Sanying Line (三鶯線) has achieved 92.52% completion and will commence operations in the first half of 2026. The elevated transit system stretches 14.29 kilometers across 12 stations, representing a massive infrastructure investment beginning construction in July 2016. The project cost NT$50.2 billion (around US$1.67 billion), marking significant advancement in Taiwan's metropolitan transportation network expansion.
The Sanying Line's sophisticated fleet features 29 trains with Italian design and Japanese manufacturing, with the final three units recently arriving at Sanxia Depot (三峽機廠) for intensive testing procedures. New Taipei MRT Bureau Director Li Cheng-an (李政安) outlined the rigorous seven-step testing protocol designed to ensure operational safety and reliability. The comprehensive evaluation process aims to complete 130,000 system stability checks before year-end, demonstrating the project's commitment to passenger safety and service excellence.
The new transit system will dramatically cut commuting time to Taipei City by approximately 20 minutes, catalyzing economic development across Sanxia (三峽) and Yingge (鶯歌) districts. Simultaneously, the Wanda-Zhonghe Line (萬大中和線) Phase 1 construction has reached 80.85% completion with anticipated opening in 2027. This complementary 9.5-kilometer system featuring nine stations will substantially reduce travel times for residents in densely populated Zhonghe (中和) and Yonghe (永和) areas. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.064)
