Taiwan’s government has greenlit two significant high-speed rail expansion projects aimed at enhancing the nation’s connectivity, with one new line set to extend to Yilan County and another linking Kaohsiung to Pingtung County. Premier Cho Jung-tai has authorized the 60.6-kilometer Nangang–Yilan HSR extension, with an estimated cost of NT$352.2 billion (US$10.9 billion). This development is anticipated to cut travel time between Taipei and Yilan down to approximately 28 minutes, offering a much faster alternative to the existing rail services.
The proposed route will start at Nangang HSR Station in Taipei, traverse several districts in New Taipei City, including Sijhih, Pingsi, Shuangsi, and Gongliao, before making its way into Yilan via Toucheng and Jiaosi townships. The line will culminate at a new high-speed rail station located near the Yilan County Government complex, facilitating seamless connections to Yilan Railway Station. Construction is projected to wrap up by 2037, with forecasts from the Railway Bureau suggesting weekday ridership could hit around 27,000 passengers, surging to 60,000 on weekends by 2051.
In addition to the Yilan extension, the Executive Yuan has also sanctioned a 26.22-kilometer high-speed rail link connecting Zuoying HSR Station in Kaohsiung to a planned station in Lioukuaitso, Pingtung City, via Kaohsiung Railway Station. Authorities aim to finalize the second-stage environmental impact assessment for this project by next year.
These railway extensions are integral to the government’s comprehensive strategy to establish a national rail network that allows travel across Taiwan in four interconnected 90-minute segments. This strategy includes plans to upgrade the Hualien–Taitung railway into a double-track electrified line and enhance the South Link Line between Taitung and Pingtung. The upgrades are designed to boost capacity, improve resilience against extreme weather conditions, and enhance the overall transportation infrastructure on the island.