The Comprehensive Tainan MRT Blue Line Plan was approved by the Cabinet on October 21, officially confirming the construction of Tainan’s first metro line. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che said that this marks a significant milestone in the city’s transportation reforms and opens a new chapter for Tainan’s public transit development.
The Mayor remarked that the city has been actively working on realizing its first MRT (Blue) line for years, and the Cabinet’s approval signals a new era for Tainan’s MRT construction and urban growth. The new Line will not only initiate a series of projects towards a complete MRT network but also link together major public transportation hubs across the city. He went on to stress that the approval was achieved through the joint efforts of the central and local governments, and expressed gratitude to the city’s councilors and council members for their support as well.
The 8.39-km-long metro line will run from Yongkang’s Daqiao area to the Tainan Cultural Center, with a branch extending to Rende depot. The route passes through some of the city’s busiest areas – East, Yongkang, and Rende Districts - and will connect with future extensions, including the Extended Phase One Blue Line, the Green Line, and the Red Line.
According to Transportation Bureau Director Wang Ming-te, Phase One of the Blue Line will feature 10 stations with stops at Zhonghua Road in Yongkang District, Zhonghua East Road and Dongmen Road in East District, and Zhongshan Road in Rende District. The system will adopt an elevated straddle-beam monorail system, the first of its kind in Taiwan, which is expected to shorten construction time, lower costs, and minimize visual impact while adapting seamlessly into the city’s unique urban landscape.
Wang also shared several numbers from the approved MRT plan: the total construction budget is NTD 32.731 billion, of which NTD 19.359 billion is funded by the central government and NTD 13.372 billion by the Tainan City Government. The city aims to begin the tendering process for contractors and project management soon, with construction targeted to start by the end of 2026 and completion expected within six years.
The Director added that Tainan will continue to develop its MRT network to improve public transport service accessibility and enhance road environments along the route. Proper pedestrian spaces, public bicycle and bus services, as well as park and ride programs, are also in the pipeline to create a new look for Tainan City’s transportation and lifestyle.