China News Service, January 31 (Xinhua) According to Taiwanese media reports, the administrative department of the Taiwan authorities approved the comprehensive planning of the Taichung MRT Blue Line and the feasibility study of the dual-tracking of the Taiwan Railway Sea Line on the 29th. The total funding of the MRT Blue Line is 161.514 billion yuan (NT$ , the same below), it is expected to be completed and opened to traffic in 10 years. Some people in the blue camp on the island stated that the DPP's adoption of the plan was based on reality, and there are still problems such as long project times and high local burdens.
The administrative agency of the Taiwan authorities approved the comprehensive plan for the Taichung MRT Blue Line on the 29th, and it is expected to be completed and opened to traffic in 10 years. Image source: Taiwan’s “China Times News Network”
"The DPP has no choice but to hold on for too long."
The Kuomintang held a press conference on the 30th and emphasized that the biggest resistance from the administrative department after the election has passed, and the Taichung MRT Blue Line has been opened. However, the approved version is the same as last February, a year wasted, and there are still long construction times and local problems. We will continue to monitor issues such as the heavy burden and hope that construction will start as soon as possible. We also hope that the MRT Green Line extension bill will be passed as soon as possible.
KMT Taichung City Legislator-elect Huang Jianhao believes that the authorities still have deep malice and reluctance. The Dakeng MRT Green Line extension is more closely related and urgent to the people of Beibeitun, but there is currently no progress. He questioned whether the administrative agency's expedited approval is one month or one year? Or are we going to make Taichung citizens wait another three years?
Former "legislator" Cai Zhengyuan said in a Taiwan media program on the 30th, "The adoption of this (plan) was forced by reality, because from February 1st to May 20th, a 'Lu Jiajun' suddenly came to the legislative body, and several seats were occupied. Newcomers in Taichung, will these people fight for the MRT line?" He said, "So this strategic retreat is a helpless choice for the DPP, but they have been holding back for too long... It turned out that the voters in Taichung City simply Don’t pay the bill.”
Taichung bears 60% of the expenses
Taiwanese media said that the Taichung MRT Blue Line attracted much attention during this election, and its comprehensive planning report was reviewed and approved by the administrative department, which can be regarded as a major milestone for transportation in the central region. At present, six counties and cities, including Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Changhua, and Nantou, have successively called for resources.
"Legislator" Jiang Qichen pointed out that the Taiwanese authorities bear 42% of the Zhongjie Blue Line funds, and the Taichung City Government has to shoulder nearly 60%, up to 93.9 billion yuan, while the Kaohsiung City MRT construction can receive 60% of the subsidy due to poor finances. "Obviously, good students are being punished," he said. He will continue to fight and review the way to subsidize major construction projects.
Taichung Mayor Lu Xiuyan said that if the Taichung MRT is to play a greater role and benefit the entire central region, including extending the MRT to Changhua and Nantou, she will work with central counties and cities to strive for it. Changhua County Mayor Wang Huimei also expressed the hope that Taiwan's newly elected leader Lai Qingde would support the construction of Changhua, while Nantou County Mayor Xu Shuhua said that she hopes the ruling party will remember its commitment to the folks.
"United Daily News" commented on the 31st that before the election, Taichung Mayor Lu Xiuyan called on the authorities to review the case as soon as possible, but she was constantly criticized by Tsai Ing-wen's authorities and flankers, accusing the city government of changing its course, seeking to benefit the black gold consortium, etc., and shelved it ; Nowadays, the attitude of the authorities has changed 180 degrees. The reason is not only the reversal of the "legislator" election in Taichung City, the green land turned into blue sky, which shows the dissatisfaction of the public opinion, but it is absolutely related to the high popularity of Mayor Lu. (over)