Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has given the green light to two significant high-speed rail (HSR) expansion projects aimed at enhancing the country’s transportation network. One extension will connect Taipei to Yilan County, while the other will link Kaohsiung to Pingtung County. Premier Cho Jung-tai has officially approved the 60.6-kilometer Nangang–Yilan HSR extension, which is projected to cost NT$352.2 billion (US$10.9 billion). The new line is set to drastically cut travel time between Taipei and Yilan to about 28 minutes, offering a much quicker alternative to existing rail services.
The planned route for the Nangang–Yilan extension will start at Nangang HSR Station in Taipei. It will traverse several districts within New Taipei City, such as Sijhih, Pingsi, Shuangsi, and Gongliao, before entering Yilan through the townships of Toucheng and Jiaosi. The line will conclude at a new HSR station situated near the Yilan County Government complex, which will provide seamless connections to the Yilan Railway Station. The completion of construction is anticipated by 2037, with the Railway Bureau forecasting weekday ridership to reach approximately 27,000 passengers and weekend ridership to climb to 60,000 by 2051.
In addition to the Yilan extension, the Executive Yuan has approved another important HSR project. This 26.22-kilometer extension will connect the Zuoying HSR Station in Kaohsiung with a future station in Lioukuaitso, Pingtung City, passing through Kaohsiung Railway Station. Authorities are currently focused on completing the second-stage environmental impact assessment for this project by the coming year.
These railway expansions are part of a broader governmental initiative aimed at establishing a comprehensive nationwide rail network. The strategy envisions Taiwan being traversable in four interconnected 90-minute segments, significantly enhancing connectivity across the island. Beyond the new HSR lines, the plan encompasses upgrading the Hualien–Taitung railway to a double-track electrified line and enhancing the South Link Line between Taitung and Pingtung. These upgrades aim to boost capacity, increase resilience to extreme weather conditions, and further develop Taiwan’s transportation infrastructure.