Taichung MRT Blue Line Requires Additional NT$100 Billion Budget; DPP Criticizes Route Changes for Project Delays
Key facts
- Taichung MRT Blue Line Requires Additional NT$100 Billion Budget; DPP Criticizes Route Changes for Project Delays
- The budget for the Taichung MRT Blue Line needs an additional NT$100 billion due to route changes, pushing the total budget to nearly NT$300 billion, about three times the amount approved under the previous mayor. The DPP caucus criticizes the city government for route changes causing delays and cost overruns, while the MRT Bureau says it will submit the plan to the central government for review based on market conditions and project needs, targeting completion by 2034.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 7, 2026
Direct answer
The budget for the Taichung MRT Blue Line needs an additional NT$100 billion due to route changes, pushing the total budget to nearly NT$300 billion, about three times the amount approved under the previous mayor. The DPP caucus criticizes the city government for route changes causing delays and cost overruns, while the MRT Bureau says it will submit the plan to the central government for review based on market conditions and project needs, targeting completion by 2034.
- Citation
- Taichung MRT Blue Line Requires Additional NT$100 Billion Budget; DPP Criticizes Route Changes for Project Delays (June 7, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 7, 2026
The budget for the Taichung MRT Blue Line needs an additional NT$100 billion due to route changes, pushing the total budget to nearly NT$300 billion, about three times the amount approved under the previous mayor. The DPP caucus criticizes the city government for route changes causing delays and cost overruns, while the MRT Bureau says it will submit the plan to the central government for review based on market conditions and project needs, targeting completion by 2034.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 7, 2026 at 17:25
- 🔍 Collected: June 7, 2026 at 17:41 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 7, 2026 at 17:42 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Zhao Liyan, Taichung, 7th) The Taichung MRT Blue Line requires an additional NT$100 billion budget. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus in the Taichung City Council pointed out today that this is due to project delays caused by route changes. The Taichung City MRT Bureau stated that it will submit the plan to the central government for review according to regulations, based on the results of detailed design, market conditions for contracting, and project requirements.
According to a press release issued today by the DPP caucus in the Taichung City Council, caucus convenor Chou Yung-hung stated that the feasibility study approved budget for the Taichung MRT Blue Line during the tenure of former Mayor Lin Chia-lung was NT$98.149 billion. Under Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, it has already surged to NT$161.5 billion, and with the additional NT$100 billion, the conservative estimate for the total cost approaches NT$261.5 billion, potentially reaching nearly NT$300 billion, which is nearly three times the Lin Chia-lung version.
Chou Yung-hung pointed out that the Lu administration changed the Blue Line route, depot location, and stations, necessitating a redo of the comprehensive planning. Route changes and administrative delays alone have cost the Blue Line an additional NT$63.4 billion. Last year, the budget for the electromechanical tender also increased from NT$35.1 billion to NT$60.8 billion, a single tender increase of NT$25.7 billion. The city government attributes the budget surge to price increases, but Chou argued that price increases should have been factored into the initial planning.
Chou said the key function of the Blue Line is to alleviate traffic on Taiwan Boulevard and form a cross-shaped basic network with the Green Line. According to the MRT Bureau, the remaining budget can barely cover the construction of the B0 to B9 seaside section, leaving almost no money for the B10 to B20 urban section. This means the basic cross-shaped backbone of the MRT network cannot be formed, and the progress of other planned routes, including the Airport Orange Line, the Tun District Purple Line, and the Red Line (Chongde-Fengyuan Line), is concerning.
The Taichung City MRT Bureau responded in a written statement, saying that the elevated section of the Taichung MRT Blue Line has been announced for tender, and the detailed design for the underground section is being carried out simultaneously, with a target completion date of 2034. In recent years, construction costs have risen across the board, and MRT projects in all cities and counties across the country are facing pressure for cost adjustments.
The MRT Bureau noted that labor costs account for about 30% of MRT project costs, and the actual wage rates for technical personnel have risen significantly. The budget for some major project items has increased by 60% to 90%, and the increase for water, electricity, and environmental control engineering items has even exceeded 120%. Additionally, due to a shortage of migrant workers, a lack of shield tunneling crews, and increased construction risks, related taxes and overhead costs have also been adjusted.
The MRT Bureau cited the Kaohsiung MRT Yellow Line project as an example, which had its total cost and schedule adjusted due to contracting and market factors. The initial total cost approved by the Executive Yuan was NT$144.237 billion, but it was finally approved at NT$236.858 billion, an increase of NT$92.621 billion. The Executive Yuan had also asked Kaohsiung to compile project costs realistically based on market conditions.
The MRT Bureau mentioned that the detailed design for the underground section of the Blue Line has entered the final report stage, and the cost estimate will be more accurate than before. The city government will subsequently submit the plan to the central government for review based on the detailed design results, market conditions for contracting, and project requirements, and will seek reasonable subsidies. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150607
According to a press release issued today by the DPP caucus in the Taichung City Council, caucus convenor Chou Yung-hung stated that the feasibility study approved budget for the Taichung MRT Blue Line during the tenure of former Mayor Lin Chia-lung was NT$98.149 billion. Under Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, it has already surged to NT$161.5 billion, and with the additional NT$100 billion, the conservative estimate for the total cost approaches NT$261.5 billion, potentially reaching nearly NT$300 billion, which is nearly three times the Lin Chia-lung version.
Chou Yung-hung pointed out that the Lu administration changed the Blue Line route, depot location, and stations, necessitating a redo of the comprehensive planning. Route changes and administrative delays alone have cost the Blue Line an additional NT$63.4 billion. Last year, the budget for the electromechanical tender also increased from NT$35.1 billion to NT$60.8 billion, a single tender increase of NT$25.7 billion. The city government attributes the budget surge to price increases, but Chou argued that price increases should have been factored into the initial planning.
Chou said the key function of the Blue Line is to alleviate traffic on Taiwan Boulevard and form a cross-shaped basic network with the Green Line. According to the MRT Bureau, the remaining budget can barely cover the construction of the B0 to B9 seaside section, leaving almost no money for the B10 to B20 urban section. This means the basic cross-shaped backbone of the MRT network cannot be formed, and the progress of other planned routes, including the Airport Orange Line, the Tun District Purple Line, and the Red Line (Chongde-Fengyuan Line), is concerning.
The Taichung City MRT Bureau responded in a written statement, saying that the elevated section of the Taichung MRT Blue Line has been announced for tender, and the detailed design for the underground section is being carried out simultaneously, with a target completion date of 2034. In recent years, construction costs have risen across the board, and MRT projects in all cities and counties across the country are facing pressure for cost adjustments.
The MRT Bureau noted that labor costs account for about 30% of MRT project costs, and the actual wage rates for technical personnel have risen significantly. The budget for some major project items has increased by 60% to 90%, and the increase for water, electricity, and environmental control engineering items has even exceeded 120%. Additionally, due to a shortage of migrant workers, a lack of shield tunneling crews, and increased construction risks, related taxes and overhead costs have also been adjusted.
The MRT Bureau cited the Kaohsiung MRT Yellow Line project as an example, which had its total cost and schedule adjusted due to contracting and market factors. The initial total cost approved by the Executive Yuan was NT$144.237 billion, but it was finally approved at NT$236.858 billion, an increase of NT$92.621 billion. The Executive Yuan had also asked Kaohsiung to compile project costs realistically based on market conditions.
The MRT Bureau mentioned that the detailed design for the underground section of the Blue Line has entered the final report stage, and the cost estimate will be more accurate than before. The city government will subsequently submit the plan to the central government for review based on the detailed design results, market conditions for contracting, and project requirements, and will seek reasonable subsidies. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150607
FAQ
What is the total budget for the Taichung MRT Blue Line?
The conservative estimate is about NT$261.5 billion, potentially reaching up to NT$300 billion.
Why has the budget increased so much?
The main reasons are the re-planning due to route, station, and depot changes, and nationwide increases in construction material and labor costs.
When will the Taichung MRT Blue Line be completed?
The Taichung City MRT Bureau targets completion by 2034.