Taichung MRT Blue Line needs extra $100 billion for underground stations

The Taichung Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Blue Line project faces a significant funding shortfall, requiring an additional NT$100 billion to complete its 12 underground stations. This has led to a decision to prioritize the construction of the elevated sections first.

According to Taichung's MRT Bureau Director Su Rui-wen, the initially approved budget of NT$161.5 billion is insufficient for the entire project. While it covers the 8 elevated stations and one underground station, the remaining 11 underground stations necessitate substantial additional funding. The elevated portion, spanning 24.78 kilometers, is slated to begin construction as early as August, with an estimated completion and operation within six years.

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The Taichung MRT Blue Line's approved budget is NT$161.5 billion, with a total of 20 stations to be built. However, this is only enough for 8 elevated stations and one underground station. The subsequent construction of 11 underground stations will require an additional NT$100 billion.

Su explained that the rising costs of raw materials, exacerbated by global events like the Russia-Ukraine war and U.S. tariffs, have impacted construction budgets nationwide. He noted that after tendering for land acquisition, electromechanical systems, and the elevated section's civil works, only about NT$8.7 billion remains, barely enough for the first underground station (B9).

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From the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. tariffs, to the recent Iran-U.S. war in the past three months, the cost of all construction materials has risen. All MRT projects nationwide are facing the same problem, not just the Taichung MRT Blue Line.

To fund the remaining underground stations, from B10 (Donghai University) to B20 (Taichung Station), the city plans to seek NT$40 billion from the central government, while the Taichung City Government will contribute NT$60 billion. Officials are urging the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to expedite the review process to ensure the entire Blue Line can be completed and operational by the projected date of 2034.

This funding issue has drawn sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers, who argue that NT$100 billion could fund an entirely new MRT line. However, the MRT Bureau insists that the cost increase is a widespread issue affecting all metro projects in Taiwan due to escalating material prices.

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We will apply to the Ministry of Transportation for a revised plan, hoping the central government will subsidize NT$40 billion, and the Taichung City Government will raise NT$60 billion.