Premier Mao Chi-kuo today attended the inauguration ceremony of the Changhua station of the high-speed rail (HSR) line, saying he hopes the station will bring a new beginning for local businesses and tourism.
The government devoted great effort and overcame many difficulties in building this station and the ones at Miaoli and Yunlin, which also opened today, Mao said. The addition of the three stations will make the HSR system more efficient and comprehensive.
Back in 1993 as head of the HSR preparatory office, Mao prepared for the eventual construction of the three stations by having the HSR route run as straight and flat as possible through those counties, he recalled. The government approved the idea in 1997 after Miaoli, Changhua and Yunlin residents and representatives voiced strong support for the stations.
The HSR system opened to the public in 2007 but did not turn a profit until January 2010 when it underwent financial reorganization. That year, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) directed the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. to plan, design and build the three stations with a target date of late-2015. Today, the Changhua station is a proud new landmark for residents and a new milestone for the county, Mao said.
After the ceremony, Premier Mao inspected the ticket gates, platforms and other facilities before unveiling a souvenir center. President Ma Ying-jeou and MOTC Minister Chen Jian-yu also attended the inaugurations at the Yunlin and Miaoli stations, respectively.