Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government Home

[Kaohsiung News] To safeguard the operations and safety of Kaohsiung's MRT and LRT systems, the Kaohsiung City Government convened a team of experts and scholars today to carry out the annual rail transit inspection and evaluation. The meeting, convened by Deputy Director-General Liu Chien-Pang of the Transportation Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government, emphasized the city’s commitment to further developing a rail transit network that meets public demand. With the completion of the circular light rail line and the recent opening of the MRT Gangshan Station, the city is focused on enhancing the convenience of public transportation services and increasing ridership rates to move Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC) closer to its goal of sustainable operations.

According to the Transportation Bureau, the latest annual inspection and evaluation of Kaohsiung's MRT system has pinpointed two areas needing improvement and outlined 19 actionable recommendations. Key improvements are needed in the stability of the light rail communication systems and the temperature management in trains and stations. The participating panel of experts and scholars provided various suggestions to bolster the operational standards of both the MRT and LRT networks in Kaohsiung, together with enhanced integration with other transportation methods to boost ridership rates.

Since its launch, the Kaohsiung MRT has committed to offering a variety of payment methods and maintaining a standard of safe, efficient, and comfortable transport. In the months from February to April, the MRT adeptly handled large crowds at major events including concerts at the World Games Main Stadium and the Kaohsiung Arena, as well as the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival’s 2024 Kaohsiung Wonderland. These initiatives underscore the KRTC’s dedication to enhancing the city’s transportation framework and tourism appeal, further cementing its role in promoting Kaohsiung’s image as a city of convenient and quality urban transit.

The KRTC continues to effectively utilize station spaces to attract foot traffic and business opportunities through ventures such as the MoFan.R10O5 Mall at MRT Formosa Boulevard Station and the MoFan.R11 Kaohsiung Station Ichiban Mall at MRT Kaohsiung Station. KRTC places significant emphasis on staff training and strict adherence to operational procedures, conducting monthly internal drills and quarterly multi-disaster simulations to ensure passenger safety. In response to evaluation results, KRTC will actively strengthen its infrastructure and services to enhance the overall quality of its operations.

Aligned with Kaohsiung's net-zero carbon objectives and to promote public transport, the Transportation Bureau introduced the "MeNGo Monthly Commuter Pass" priced at NT$399 on April 27, 2023. The launch has been a resounding success, with monthly sales increasing sevenfold and user numbers surging tenfold compared to the period before its introduction. This boost in sales has significantly benefited MRT ridership; the Red and Orange Lines saw a record 57.058 million passengers in 2023, averaging 156,000 daily passengers—an increase of 44,000 daily average riders compared to 2022, marking a 39.3% growth. By December 2023, daily ridership peaked at 190,000, showing a 21.8% rise since April. The MeNGo Monthly Commuter Pass now contributes to approximately 45% of the weekday ridership for the MRT.

The Transportation Bureau is continuing to promote the NT$399 MeNGo Monthly Commuter Pass, which now includes access to MRT, light rail, buses, intercity coach buses, ferries, and YouBike services. These initiatives, along with ongoing major rail infrastructure development projects, aim to advance the public transportation network, offering a more comfortable and convenient travel experience and making it easier for tourists to explore and enjoy Kaohsiung.