Taichung MRT Blue Line faces NT$100 billion budget gap; elevated section to open first by 2034

The Taichung MRT Blue Line project in Taiwan is encountering significant financial hurdles, with current estimates suggesting a need for nearly 100 billion New Taiwan dollars (NT$) beyond its approved budget of 161.5 billion NT$ to complete the remaining 11 underground stations. This funding gap has raised concerns about the project's timeline and eventual completion.

In response to these challenges, the Taichung City Mass Rapid Transit Bureau (TCMTB) has adopted a strategy of phased construction and operation. The focus will initially be on the elevated sections of the Blue Line. Currently, bids for two construction packages covering the elevated portion, which spans approximately 10 kilometers along Taiwan Boulevard from Lingang Road to Zhengying Road, are being processed.

TCMTB Director Su Rui-wen stated that if the bidding process proceeds smoothly, construction for the elevated segment could commence in August. The goal remains to have these elevated stations operational by 2034, a timeline that has been subject to delays since the project's initial approval by the Executive Yuan in 2024, which stipulated a 10-year completion period.

While the Blue Line's total completion is uncertain due to the substantial budget increase required for the underground portions, the phased approach aims to deliver tangible progress. The TCMTB is committed to moving forward with the elevated infrastructure, hoping to alleviate public concerns about the project's prolonged delays and eventual service.

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Currently, we will proceed with a strategy of phased construction and phased operation. The main line civil engineering bids are processing two bid packages for the elevated section of eight stations.