Taiwan is set to enhance its high-speed rail network with the approval of two significant expansion projects by the Executive Yuan. These projects aim to bolster national connectivity by constructing new lines to Yilan County and between Kaohsiung and Pingtung County. The first project, a 60.6-kilometer extension from Nangang to Yilan, received the green light from Premier Cho Jung-tai and is projected to cost NT$352.2 billion (US$10.9 billion). This new line is anticipated to cut travel time between Taipei and Yilan to approximately 28 minutes, offering a much quicker alternative to current rail services.
The proposed route for the Nangang–Yilan extension will commence at Nangang HSR Station in Taipei, traverse through districts in New Taipei City such as Sijhih, Pingsi, Shuangsi, and Gongliao, and then enter Yilan via Toucheng and Jiaosi townships. The line will conclude at a newly planned HSR station near the Yilan County Government complex, providing easy access to Yilan Railway Station. With construction targeted for completion by 2037, the Railway Bureau estimates daily ridership could reach about 27,000 passengers on weekdays, soaring to 60,000 on weekends by 2051.
Additionally, the Executive Yuan has sanctioned a 26.22-kilometer extension connecting Zuoying HSR Station in Kaohsiung to a new station in Lioukuaitso, Pingtung City, which will pass through Kaohsiung Railway Station. The authorities are working towards completing the second-stage environmental impact assessment of this project next year.
These railway expansions are part of a broader government initiative to establish a comprehensive national rail network. The vision is to facilitate travel across Taiwan in four interconnected segments, each taking about 90 minutes. The plan also includes upgrading the Hualien–Taitung railway to a double-track electrified line and enhancing the South Link Line between Taitung and Pingtung. These improvements aim not only to increase capacity but also to bolster the network’s resilience against extreme weather and further develop Taiwan’s transportation infrastructure.