Taichung Considers MRT Red Line Branch to Connect Major Developments

Taichung's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Bureau is exploring a significant expansion of the city's metro network, with plans to extend a branch line from the Red Line. The proposed route would originate from the Intercontinental Baseball Stadium and connect to the Shuinan Transfer Center, integrating key future developments within the city. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity and accessibility to major upcoming construction projects.

The current Red Line (Chongde-Fengyuan Line) is undergoing a feasibility study, with a projected submission to the Ministry of Transportation in September. The line is planned as an elevated route, traversing through several districts and linking commercial areas. The new branch line, if approved, would extend approximately 3.71 kilometers and is intended to link the baseball stadium area with the Shuinan Transfer Center.

This extension is seen as crucial for connecting major new developments. These include the Taichung Dome, the planned super-dome in Xitun, the Green River Library, the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center, and the Central Park. By linking these sites via the MRT, the city aims to provide convenient transportation for both domestic and international visitors.

The idea of a Red Line branch to Shuinan has been previously suggested by city councilors. They argued that such a connection would not only serve the transfer center, which is a planned station for the future MRT Orange Line's airport line, but also consolidate the city's major new construction projects. The bureau plans to incorporate this potential branch into the ongoing feasibility study if the direction is confirmed.