The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said it aimed to keep traffic flowing in the Hsuehshan Tunnel during the Lunar New Year holiday, which could in turn ease congestion between Yilan and Taipei.
Freeway No. 5, which connects the two, is notorious for traffic jams during national holidays.
Minister Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) said he had asked the National Freeway Bureau to ensure that both the northbound and southbound tunnels can accommodate 2,900 motor vehicles per hour — the maximum capacity of the Hsuehshan Tunnel.
He said the bureau would dispatch personnel to stand by at both ends of the tunnels to quickly clear the road in the case of any accidents.
“We hope that people will avoid driving to Yilan,” Mao said. “If you must drive, please make sure to check your car and traffic reports before hitting the road.”
The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) said it would employ 589 trains more than usual to transport homebound passengers between Feb. 11 and Feb. 22. It will also have 18 commuter express trains operating between Shulin (樹林) and Hualien.
The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp will have 341 additional trains operating between Feb. 11 and Feb. 22, the ministry said.
From next Wednesday to Feb. 23, a total of 1,914 flights will be dispatched to carry passengers from the outlying islands to Taitung and Hualien, it said.
Meanwhile, Mao announced yesterday that the ministry was budgeting NT$15 billion (US$500 million) on a three-year project to improve the nation’s public transportation system.
Last month, the ministry rejected plans from several counties to build MRT or light-rail systems. Mao said the ministry would continue to use strict standards to evaluate each of the proposals.
“The government has to be responsible for the operation of railway systems,” Mao said. “Billions in losses will occur if the railway system does not carry enough passengers to sustain its operation.”
Rather than subsidizing the debt-ridden railway system, Mao said the money would be much better used to help develop the public bus system.
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