The new High Speed Rail (HSR) stations in Miaoli, Changhua and Yunlin are being built in response to the ardent desire of local residents and will facilitate their travel while bringing new development opportunities to the regions, Premier Sean Chen said today.
The premier pointed out that the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. (THSRC) has already completed the bidding process and that construction is to begin soon: the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Yunlin and Miaoli stations are on the 15th and 28th of this month, while the Changhua station's ceremony date is still being discussed. Chen directed the MOTC to closely supervise the THSRC to ensure the stations are opened on time and residents can enjoy high-quality facilities as soon as possible.
The addition of three new stations will increase the number of HSR stops to 12, and the effects this will have on travel times and train scheduling must be deliberated, Chen said.
In addition, he instructed the MOTC to supervise and assist the THSRC in carrying out necessary measures concerning land subsistence and other possible negative consequences of construction.
Although the stations' construction budgets have already been incorporated into THSRC's financial restructuring plan, the company's financial statements indicate the financing mainly comes from adjustments for asset depreciation and the lowering of interest rates on their loans. The THSRC's original stockholders should also bear some of the burden, said the premier, who instructed the MOTC to work side-by-side with the THSRC on this issue.
In order to maximize the developmental benefits from the stations, which is the ultimate goal of the construction, the premier directed the MOTC, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Council for Economic Planning and Development to formulate plans to attract industries that will help the regions prosper.
The MOTC stated that the three stations will cost about NT$7.55 billion (US$259 million) to build, including electrical and mechanical engineering costs, and they are scheduled to open in July 2015.