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Kaohsiung HSR-MRT 'connecting passage' stalled, netizens blast 'terrible efficiency'

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A promised connecting passage between the High Speed Rail (HSR) Zuoying Station and Kaohsiung MRT has stalled, with zero progress since a March construction start date was announced.
  • The delay is attributed to HSR's increased train frequency and a low willingness from contractors, frustrating residents and netizens who criticize the inefficiency.
  • Passengers currently face inconvenient multi-level transfers between the two transit systems, a problem persisting for nearly 20 years.

Plans for a crucial connecting passage between Taiwan High Speed Rail's (HSR) Zuoying Station and the Kaohsiung MRT system have hit a significant roadblock, with construction progress reported as zero. This comes despite an earlier commitment from Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai that work would commence by March.

The construction that should be done cannot remain in the planning stage indefinitely. Citizens expect visible progress.

— Hsu Chih-chiehKaohsiung legislator Hsu Chih-chieh criticizing the delay in the HSR-MRT connecting passage project.

The project, long sought by Kaohsiung legislators, is now on hold. HSR Chairman Shih Che explained the delay is due to two main factors: a low level of interest from potential contractors and the need to carefully consider the impact of HSR's increased train frequency on construction schedules. He assured that the project is still planned, but its execution must not disrupt train operations or frequency.

Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh expressed frustration, noting that the project was supposed to be put out for tender in March and is already delayed. He criticized the HSR Corporation for keeping the construction in the planning phase for too long, emphasizing that citizens expect visible progress. "The construction that should be done cannot remain in the planning stage indefinitely. Citizens expect visible progress," Hsu stated.

To proceed, but it must be done without affecting dispatching and the train frequency increase.

— Shih CheHSR Chairman Shih Che on the conditions for proceeding with the connecting passage construction.

Netizens have voiced strong criticism online, with comments on Hsu's Facebook page mocking the HSR Corporation's efficiency. One user sarcastically remarked that if the company truly intended to build the passage, it could have been completed long ago during the station's 20 years of operation. Others questioned the lengthy evaluation period and suggested that reduced passenger flow to station-level retail might be a hidden reason for the delay.

Hold? If they really wanted to do it, after 20 years of operation, they could have finished it slowly. They might as well say they'll definitely do it, but postpone it for 100 years.

— NetizenA netizen's sarcastic comment on social media regarding the project's delay.

The current setup forces passengers transferring between the HSR and MRT to navigate inconvenient escalators and a lengthy route, a significant inconvenience that has persisted for two decades. The lack of a direct, seamless connection remains a major point of contention for commuters in Kaohsiung.

This efficiency is really too poor, how long does the evaluation take to discuss?

— NetizenA netizen questioning the prolonged evaluation period for the connecting passage.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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