Premier Jiang Yi-huah today accompanied President Ma Ying-jeou to the launch ceremony for the newly electrified Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) railway service between the cities of Hualien and Taitung.
During his remarks at the ceremony, the premier expressed exultation about witnessing the successful completion of the project and said that the most meaningful thing about railway electrification for area residents was that it will improve their transportation and stimulate their industries.
Hualien and Taitung counties are among the most remote areas of Taiwan, and their residents have always looked forward to having stable, high-traffic and convenient transportation in the future, Jiang said. Rail is the most important and affordable mode of transport to and from the region, but train tickets have been difficult to buy for years because demand outstripped supply. Hence, President Ma included the electrification of the Hualien-Taitung rail line as one of the major initiatives of his i¬-Taiwan 12 Projects announced in 2008.
Passengers traveling between Taipei and Taitung previously had to change trains at TRA Hualien Station, because only diesel trains could run between Hualien and Taitung. With the successful completion of this project, however, riders can take a single train from Taitung all the way to Taipei.
Travel time between the cities will thus be significantly improved: for example, travel time by train between Taitung and Taipei will be reduced from four and a half hours to three and a half.
Train frequency will increase, as well: six more Tze-Chiang-Express-class trains will depart from TRA Taitung Station daily from Monday to Thursday, and 12 more each day Friday through Sunday. This will greatly benefit Hualien and Taitung residents as both stability and density in transportation are improved.
Moreover, while many local service train cars in the Hualien and Taitung have not offered air conditioning, all will in the future.
"The government hopes that citizens feel these improvements in the transportation infrastructure," the premier said.
Jiang thanked the governments and residents of Hualien and Taitung for their support and their assistance in various respects throughout the electrification project. Several members of the Legislature have concern for the development of Hualien and Taitung counties, and the project only finished nine months ahead of schedule thanks to the funding and supervision provided it by these legislators, he pointed out.
Finally, the premier encouraged everyone in attendance to uphold this spirit and work together to carry out improvements in both hard and soft infrastructure in every corner of the country in order to create a more stable, prosperous, and affluent Taiwan.