TAIWAN: Preliminary works have started with a groundbreaking ceremony on the 15·6 km Keelung MRT light metro line that is to link Nangang high speed rail station in Taipei to the Badu area in Keelung.
Construction started at the SB19 station in the Baifu Park area with placing retaining piles, constructing drainage facilities, as well as with land excavation, soil and water conservation, and landscape restoration works.
The Keelung Line is planned to serve 13 stops and it is estimated to cost NT$69·7bn. Completion is envisaged for 2033. It would share tracks with sections of the Xizhi – Donghu Line, which is also under construction.
The Ministry of Transportation & Communications approved the Keelung line’s plans in March 2024. The New Taipei City Government is the project promoter for construction works, and New Taipei Metro Corp is to operate the line.
Under a framework contract awarded in Junne 2025, CAF is supplying up to 23 Urbos light rail vehicles for the Xidong and Keelung lines, including spare parts, depot equipment and a driving simulator.
- Read our interview with New Taipei Metro Corp President about the expansion of the city’s emerging urban rail network in the July 2025 issue of Railway Gazette International.
