The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) yesterday said it plans to relocate its headquarters to Taipei’s Nangang (南港) District and to lease out its offices at Taipei Railway Station.
The agency made the announcement at a ceremony held to celebrate the station’s 125th anniversary. The ceremony also marked the completion of the renovation of the station’s outer walls, which cost the operators about NT$400 million (US$12.52 million).
TRA Deputy Director General Chung Ching-da (鐘清達) said that that as well as TRA trains, the station now services the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp and the Taipei’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.
Photo: CNA
When the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport MRT is launched, the station will become an even more important location as it would then be the first stop for international tourists in Taipei, he said.
The TRA’s headquarters is now on floors three to six at the station, Chung said.
The relocation of its headquarters to Nangang — where its old train depot is located — would maximize the efficiency of its property use, he added.
The construction project to turn the Nangang train depot into its new office building is now under review at the city’s urban planning committee, Chung said, adding that the administration should be able to move into its new headquarters in 2021.
The first and second floors of the Taipei Railway Station are operated by the Breeze Center Group, which generates NT$2 billion to NT$3 billion in revenue per year.
In return, the TRA collects the lease of NT$110 million per year.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications had asked the TRA to consider relocating its headquarters, saying that the station sits on the most sought-after property in the city which should be used more efficiently.
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