Councilor Concerned About Tianmu MRT Planning, Taipei DORTS: Report to Ministry of Transportation in July
Taipei Rapid Transit Systems Bureau Director-General Zheng De-fa announced on May 11 that the feasibility assessment for the Shezi-Datong regional rail network, including an underground line in Tianmu, will be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation in July. The plan proposes three stations along Zhongcheng Road—Zhongyi Street, Lanya Park, and Tianmu Baseball Stadium—utilizing underground construction to address long-standing local transit demands.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 22:42
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Li-Yun, Taipei, 11th) Taipei City Councilor Chang Sze-Kang today inquired about the Shezi-Datong regional MRT network, which will include the Tianmu area and be planned as an underground, medium-capacity system. He asked about the progress. Taipei Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) Director Cheng Te-Fa said that the evaluation report would be completed and submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in July, and three stations would be set up along Zhongcheng Road.
Taipei City Council held a question-and-answer session for the transportation department this afternoon. Kuomintang City Councilor Chang Sze-Kang questioned the Taipei City Government's promotion of the "Shezi-Shilin-Beitou-Datong" regional network evaluation, which is studying an underground medium-capacity MRT system via Zhongcheng Road into Tianmu.
Chang Sze-Kang stated that the Tianmu area has lacked MRT services for over 20 years, and past discussions for an MRT along Zhongcheng Road mostly involved above-ground construction, raising local concerns about road aesthetics and the preservation of flamegold trees. This time, the Taipei City Government's shift to an underground evaluation direction is key to re-incorporating the Tianmu MRT into planning and gaining local support.
He mentioned that the underground conditions in the Tianmu area were complex in the past, including swampy terrain, underground box culverts, and existing public facilities. He asked if underground construction is definitely feasible, if it would affect engineering safety, and if the flamegold trees on Zhongcheng Road, which are an important urban landscape of Tianmu, could be preserved and the landscape restored. He also inquired about the relevant station planning and overall progress.
Chang Sze-Kang also asked if this network could be extended to connect to Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Shipai area, forming a circular network.
Cheng Te-Fa replied that the regional network planning evaluation report is expected to be completed in July this year and submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications for review, which will take about six months. After approval, the Taipei City Government will still need to conduct a feasibility study, environmental assessment, and comprehensive planning, with each stage taking about two years (totaling four years).
He mentioned that in response to the progress of the Beishi Science Park development, they would try to advance tasks that can be carried out simultaneously. A feasibility underground survey has already been initiated, hoping to complete it within two years, but it will be a tough effort, they will try. "This route is pushing us to move faster."
Cheng Te-Fa stated that the relevant corridor still needs feasibility confirmation, with two bottlenecks to be evaluated: one from Tianmu West Road roundabout to Tianmu Bridge, and the other from Veterans General Hospital towards Shipai Road Section 2 and the section before Shipai Station, where some road widths are about 15 meters, making corridor conditions more restricted. The basic engineering needs careful evaluation, and further discussions will be held with units such as Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences and Veterans General Hospital regarding available land.
"Currently, the preliminary evaluation is to set up about three stations along Zhongcheng Road," Cheng Te-Fa said, primarily prioritizing public land, including locations such as Zhongyi Street, Lanya Park, and Tianmu Baseball Stadium. Underground construction should be technically feasible with current engineering technology, even easier to implement than the East Ring Line and Keelung River sections. Further confirmation will be made through exploration and feasibility studies.
He stated that most of the flamegold trees on Zhongcheng Road would remain in place, and only a small number of trees involved in station entrances and exits might need to be transplanted. Tree protection work would definitely be carried out, and communication meetings would be held with local communities later. (Editor: Chen Ching-Fang) 1150511
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(Central News Agency reporter Huang Li-Yun, Taipei, 11th) Taipei City Councilor Chang Sze-Kang today inquired about the Shezi-Datong regional MRT network, which will include the Tianmu area and be planned as an underground, medium-capacity system. He asked about the progress. Taipei Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) Director Cheng Te-Fa said that the evaluation report would be completed and submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in July, and three stations would be set up along Zhongcheng Road.
Taipei City Council held a question-and-answer session for the transportation department this afternoon. Kuomintang City Councilor Chang Sze-Kang questioned the Taipei City Government's promotion of the "Shezi-Shilin-Beitou-Datong" regional network evaluation, which is studying an underground medium-capacity MRT system via Zhongcheng Road into Tianmu.
Chang Sze-Kang stated that the Tianmu area has lacked MRT services for over 20 years, and past discussions for an MRT along Zhongcheng Road mostly involved above-ground construction, raising local concerns about road aesthetics and the preservation of flamegold trees. This time, the Taipei City Government's shift to an underground evaluation direction is key to re-incorporating the Tianmu MRT into planning and gaining local support.
He mentioned that the underground conditions in the Tianmu area were complex in the past, including swampy terrain, underground box culverts, and existing public facilities. He asked if underground construction is definitely feasible, if it would affect engineering safety, and if the flamegold trees on Zhongcheng Road, which are an important urban landscape of Tianmu, could be preserved and the landscape restored. He also inquired about the relevant station planning and overall progress.
Chang Sze-Kang also asked if this network could be extended to connect to Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Shipai area, forming a circular network.
Cheng Te-Fa replied that the regional network planning evaluation report is expected to be completed in July this year and submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications for review, which will take about six months. After approval, the Taipei City Government will still need to conduct a feasibility study, environmental assessment, and comprehensive planning, with each stage taking about two years (totaling four years).
He mentioned that in response to the progress of the Beishi Science Park development, they would try to advance tasks that can be carried out simultaneously. A feasibility underground survey has already been initiated, hoping to complete it within two years, but it will be a tough effort, they will try. "This route is pushing us to move faster."
Cheng Te-Fa stated that the relevant corridor still needs feasibility confirmation, with two bottlenecks to be evaluated: one from Tianmu West Road roundabout to Tianmu Bridge, and the other from Veterans General Hospital towards Shipai Road Section 2 and the section before Shipai Station, where some road widths are about 15 meters, making corridor conditions more restricted. The basic engineering needs careful evaluation, and further discussions will be held with units such as Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences and Veterans General Hospital regarding available land.
"Currently, the preliminary evaluation is to set up about three stations along Zhongcheng Road," Cheng Te-Fa said, primarily prioritizing public land, including locations such as Zhongyi Street, Lanya Park, and Tianmu Baseball Stadium. Underground construction should be technically feasible with current engineering technology, even easier to implement than the East Ring Line and Keelung River sections. Further confirmation will be made through exploration and feasibility studies.
He stated that most of the flamegold trees on Zhongcheng Road would remain in place, and only a small number of trees involved in station entrances and exits might need to be transplanted. Tree protection work would definitely be carried out, and communication meetings would be held with local communities later. (Editor: Chen Ching-Fang) 1150511
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.