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To solve the traffic issue on National Freeway No. 5, a plan was finally released at the end of last year to extend the high-speed rail to Yilan, replacing a former plan to build a more direct railway line instead at an increased budget of NT$400 billion from NT$100 billion. Former minister without portfolio Chang Ching-sen and former transport minister Hochen Tan have both come out against the project, saying it would be ineffective and severely impact the Eastern Trunk Line on the TRC. When the news got to Yilan residents, they urged the government to stop wavering and build the line soon.

The debate over whether to build a direct railway line or a high-speed rail from Taipei to Yilan has been ongoing for over 20 years. Now a plan has finally been approved to build an eastern extension of the HSR, with work set to begin in 2029 and finish in 2036. But experts have been vocal with their objections.

Voice of Chang Ching-sen
Former minister without portfolio
Just the section in Yilan alone would be extremely inefficient at an enormous cost. It would become a dead section of the HSR because it would run at a loss. Even without factoring in the initial cost, it would still run at a loss and be a drag on the High Speed Rail. If you thought the NT$95.5 billion to build a direct rail line was a lot, now the cost is four times that. Is this at all feasible? It’s completely unfeasible. If it’s not feasible, why insist on pushing it through?

Voice of Hochen Tan
Former minister of transportation
Compared with the original plan to build a direct rail line, it’s still the most economical and effective way to serve passengers. Moreover, for the newly established Taiwan Railway, it presents a promising new market.

After the HSR line opens, these experts say it will not only yield minimal benefits, but due to differing customer bases, it would do nothing to ease traffic on National Freeway No. 5 and instead divert traffic away from the Eastern Trunk Line. When Yilan residents heard the debate, they were furious.

Holding a red banner, these Yilan residents demand the construction of a high-speed rail. The long-awaited Yilan HSR extension has faced fierce opposition from experts. But residents recently gathered in front of the county government building to urge the central government to commit.

Yilan resident
It’s not just those of us who live here who will use it. If they build an HSR line, it’ll be like everywhere else in the world. Improved transport means development.

Yilan resident
Yilan’s industry hasn’t developed because of inconvenient transportation. It’s always been considered a backwater.

Shen Ching-shan
Zhuangwei Township chief
Some people are saying the Yilan HSR plan is just land speculation. Western Taiwan has a dozen special HSR zones. The economy is being developed there. It’s what the people need. Does it make sense to say that the Yilan HSR is just intended to inflate land prices? No, it doesn’t. Enough yanking us around.

Chen Chun-yu
Legislator (DPP)
Yilan sees over 3.5 million visitors every year. Plus we have residents who travel for work and those who come for business or to see relatives. All told, travel should exceed 5 million. Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung see over 20 million travelers in a year.

Residents said that NT$400 billion is certainly expensive, but it’ll only get pricier the longer it’s put off. Creating a complete transport system that enables single-day travel around the entire island requires consideration of effectiveness and cost. Aside from political maneuvering, there’s a lot to consider if it is to be achieved in the best way possible.

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