Kinmen Seeks More Cross-Strait Ferry Services; Mainland Affairs Council Says Extra Trips on Holidays

(CNA) Taipei, July 2) The Kinmen County Government is seeking to increase the number of ferry services for the "mini-three-links" route. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) responded today that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' current plan is to add extra trips on holidays, with even more added during consecutive holidays. This approach aims to prevent stimulating excessive demand by increasing too many services, which could lead to unresolved issues.

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) held its regular press conference this afternoon, hosted by Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh.

Liang Wen-chieh stated that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' current plan is to increase mini-three-links ferry services on holidays, and to add even more during consecutive holidays.

He mentioned that many people are currently traveling via the mini-three-links, which does indeed pose a burden on the daily commutes of Kinmen residents. However, he added, if too many services are added, it is highly likely to stimulate more demand, which may not solve the original problem. "For now, we are handling it by adding extra trips on holidays."

Kinmen County Magistrate Chen Fu-hai said in a press release that since the mini-three-links resumed operations, passenger numbers have increased year by year, strengthening the ties between Kinmen and mainland coastal areas such as Xiamen and Quanzhou. Recently, the demand for ferry services has rapidly increased, with the Kinmen-Xiamen route's 24 daily sailings often fully booked, and difficulty in booking seats occurring on holidays. Especially with the peak summer season approaching, ferry capacity is stretched thin.

Hsu Chi-hsin, Director of Kinmen County Government's Tourism Department, stated that the county government has been seeking approval from the central government to increase mini-three-links ferry services since 2025, but has not yet received approval. (Editor: Lu Chia-jung) 1150702

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