The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) recently rejected plans submitted by Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taoyuan and Kaohsiung counties to build light rail or mass rapid transit (MRT) systems because their governments had not presented viable funding plans.
The ministry said the viability research reports submitted by the four counties emphasized that the construction costs would be low and that the MRT systems would be efficiently utilized once built.
The financial losses accrued by the Kaohsiung City MRT system were a prime example of the gap between estimated passenger volume and reality, the ministry said.
While the MRT systems may be able to help the development of urban areas, the conundrum facing Kaohsiung’s MRT might occur if a county does not have a large enough population to support a public transportation system, the ministry said.
Hsinchu and Miaoli counties want to build a light rail system connecting Hsinchu City, Chubei (竹北) and Jhudong (竹東) in Hsinchu County with Jhunan (竹南) in Miaoli County.
Taoyuan County has proposed constructing a five-line MRT system, with one line connecting to the Airport Rail. Kaohsiung County wants to build a light rail system to connect seven university campuses.
The ministry also turned down plans by Keelung and Tainan County to build light rails and Taichung City’s request to add a Blue Line to its two-line MRT system now under construction.
The ministry also asked the Taipei County Government to reevaluate building a light rail system for Danhai New Township (淡海新市鎮).
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS