Taiwan’s government has greenlit two significant high-speed rail expansion projects designed to enhance connectivity across the nation. The Executive Yuan has sanctioned a new rail line extending to Yilan County and another that will connect Kaohsiung to Pingtung County. These developments are part of a broader strategy to create a cohesive nationwide rail network.
Premier Cho Jung-tai has endorsed the 60.6-kilometer extension from Nangang to Yilan, which is anticipated to cost NT$352.2 billion (approximately US$10.9 billion). This new line promises to cut the travel time between Taipei and Yilan to around 28 minutes, offering a substantial improvement over current rail services. The route will start at Nangang HSR Station in Taipei and traverse several districts in New Taipei City, including Sijhih, Pingsi, Shuangsi, and Gongliao, before reaching Yilan through Toucheng and Jiaosi townships. The line will conclude at a newly planned HSR station near the Yilan County Government complex, facilitating easy access to Yilan Railway Station.
Construction of the Nangang–Yilan extension is projected to be finished by 2037. According to the Railway Bureau, this line is expected to see a daily ridership of about 27,000 passengers on weekdays, increasing to 60,000 on weekends by the year 2051.
In addition, the Executive Yuan has also approved a 26.22-kilometer HSR extension from Zuoying HSR Station in Kaohsiung to a proposed station in Lioukuaitso, Pingtung City, passing through Kaohsiung Railway Station. Authorities are planning to complete the project’s second-stage environmental impact assessment by next year.
These rail expansions are integral to the government’s vision of a high-speed rail network that enables travel across Taiwan in four interconnected 90-minute segments. The plan also encompasses upgrading the Hualien–Taitung railway to a double-track electrified line and improving the South Link Line between Taitung and Pingtung. These enhancements aim to boost capacity, fortify resilience against extreme weather, and significantly enhance Taiwan’s transportation infrastructure.