The Taipei City Government will not change the designation "Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall" at mass rapid transit (MRT) stations and bus stops despite it having been renamed the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said yesterday.
Defending the city government's jurisdiction over the management of MRT stations and bus stops, Hau said that "Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall" was still the hall's legitimate title based on the Organic Statute of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂組織條例), adding that the city government would continue to use the title at all stations.
"Even though the central government has changed the name of the hall, the `CKS Memorial Hall' will still be used at public transport stations in Taipei City," Hau said after attending a municipal event in Taipei.
Keeping the original title at MRT stations and bus stops will also save the city NT$8 million (US$ 240,000) in expense, Hau said.
"People are used to the name. Changing it does not only cause confusion, but is also a waste of money," he said.
Taipei Rapid Transit Corp said that more than 12,000 station names, signs, ticketing system and travel information pamphlets at the stations would have to be changed if the city government decides to change the station's name to the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall.
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