Beishi'erke, Shezidao Light Rail: Taipei MRT Department Plans to Convert to Medium-Capacity MRT

(Central News Agency reporter Liu Chien-pang, Taipei, 8th) With NVIDIA setting up in Beishi'erke, both blue and green political camps are concerned about local traffic. Taipei City Council member Chen Ping-fu demanded the light rail be changed to a medium-capacity MRT, while council member Chen Tzu-hui pointed out that traffic remains congested. The city government stated that it plans to develop a medium-capacity MRT and has established an inter-departmental task force to address traffic conditions.

NVIDIA's Taiwan headquarters announced its establishment in the Beitou Shilin Technology Park, having completed the signing of a contract with the Taipei City Government earlier this year. In addition, the Shezidao development project continues to advance. Taipei City Council members are concerned about local traffic conditions and mentioned that major roads in the vicinity are still congested during peak hours.

Taipei City Council member Chen Tzu-hui (DPP) questioned that although the Department of Transportation proposed traffic improvement measures for Beishi'erke, industries and residents still worry that it might become a hot spot for traffic jams. She observed that during peak hours, traffic remains congested when passing through intersections like Chengde Road Section 7 and Dadu Road every day.

She stated that traffic becomes crowded when passing through the Beishi'erke Park area, and Fuguo Road is often congested. There is also heavy traffic at the intersection of Chengde Road Section 4 and Zhongzheng Road. She asked if the Department of Transportation would propose more advanced improvement measures.

Department of Transportation Commissioner Hsieh Ming-hung responded that a broad framework has been developed to address local traffic conditions, and more advanced solutions will be planned. Practical measures have already been proposed, such as removing the motorcycle-only lane divider on Dadu Road and responding by adjusting signals and improving road configurations. It is also planned to cancel the adjustable lane on Chengde Road in early June.

Chen Tzu-hui asked if the Department of Transportation had compiled traffic flow statistics, given that many large enterprises have moved into Beishi'erke. A Department of Transportation official replied that currently, Beishi'erke's daily traffic volume is estimated to be about 105,000 people, meaning about 100,000 vehicles and people are active on the roads.

Hsieh Ming-hung said that public transportation tools have been set up to improve nearby traffic, such as planning three shuttle bus routes. For example, a shuttle bus entering the Beishi'erke Park area has already been opened, and express buses from MRT Zhuwei Station and Tamsui Station to Taipei will be planned.

Chen Tzu-hui stated that the planned development of Beishi'erke and Shezidao might paralyze local traffic, and the city government should promptly propose transitional traffic improvement plans. Hsieh Ming-hung responded that the city government has already established an inter-departmental task force to address this.

Furthermore, Taipei City Council member Chen Ping-fu (KMT) referred to data, mentioning that with the gradual development of Beishi'erke Park and the population residing in nearby Shezidao and Tianmu areas, local traffic conditions might become even more unbearable. The Department of Rapid Transit Systems originally planned a Shezidao light rail but later believed that its scale might not accommodate the local residential and employment population, suggesting it be changed to a medium-capacity MRT capable of carrying about 10,000 to 20,000 passengers.

The Department of Rapid Transit Systems responded that when the light rail was originally planned, Beishi'erke had not yet been fully developed. After subsequent evaluation, it was believed that the light rail might not be able to accommodate the local residential, traffic, and employment population, and thus a medium-capacity MRT will be planned. (Editor: Chen Ren-hua) 1150508

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