Keelung MRT routes and stations.

(Photo by reporter Lu Xianxiu)

[Reporter Lu Xianxiu/Report from Keelung] The Keelung MRT has entered into a comprehensive planning plan. The Railway Bureau of the Ministry of Communications held a public hearing in Keelung today (26th) to explain the route and station planning. There are 5 stations in Keelung City, only Badu Station is a flat station, and the others are elevated stations.

Some city councilors and citizens believe that the first phase and the second phase of the Keelung MRT should be planned together. Li Gang, chief secretary of the Railway Bureau of the Ministry of Communications, said that the Ministry of Communications is willing to raise funds to subsidize the Keelung City Government for the second phase of route planning.

The Railway Bureau of the Ministry of Communications held a public hearing today at the Qiduzhengmingli Civilian Activity Center, presided over by Li Gang. The public attended enthusiastically, and Keelung Mayor Xie Guoliang also attended.

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The planned route of the Keelung MRT runs from Badou to Nangang, with a total length of about 15.59 kilometers. There are 13 stations in total, including 2 underground stations, 1 semi-underground station, 9 elevated stations and 1 level station.

There are 5 stations in Keelung City. Among them, Badu Station is a flat station, which gradually climbs from Badu to an elevated station; Qidu Station is at the intersection of Mingde 1st Road and Chongxiao Street; Liudu Station is at the intersection of Gongjian West Road and Tai Shuiliutu Water Purification Plant; Baifu Station next to Baifu Park on Shijian Road; Beiwudu Station is located at the planned site of Beiwudu New Town.

It will be opened to traffic in 9 years after the approval of the comprehensive plan, and the estimated distance between trains is 6 minutes.

Xie Guoliang still emphasized that the local burden is high. After careful calculation, the local burden has reached 6.165 billion. He reiterated his support for the construction of the Keelung MRT, hoping to extend the repayment cycle of Keelung City.

However, Li Gang said that the funding assessment is a nationally consistent standard, which still needs to be reflected upwards by the Ministry of Communications.

In addition, the public thinks that Keijie only goes to Badu Station, which is not as expected. It is inconvenient for people to transfer at Badu Station. Some people also suggest that the Bannan Line should be extended directly to Keelung.

City Councilor Lin Peixiang requested that the first phase and the second phase be planned together, and that the second phase will enter the urban area from Badou Station via Maijin Road and Chang Gung Hospital.

Li Gang said that the original plan for Keelung was from Keelung to Nangang, but the public demanded to keep the Taiwan Railway, and they could not reach a consensus, so they first made the first phase of the eight-block to Nangang. As for the possible demolition of houses along McKim Road, if the city government thinks it is feasible, the Railway Bureau will respect the opinions of the local government.

As for the planning around the station, the Ministry of Communications commissioned the Keelung City Government to make a comprehensive urban plan, which has not yet been approved by the central government. The Railway Bureau will invite Beibeiji to hold a meeting to review it next week. The Railway Bureau respects the opinions of the local government.

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The Railway Bureau of the Ministry of Communications held a public hearing on the comprehensive planning of the Keelung MRT in Qidu, Keelung today.

(Photo by reporter Lu Xianxiu)

Li Gang, chief secretary of the Railway Bureau, presided over the public hearing and responded to public opinions.

(Photo by reporter Lu Xianxiu)

Keelung Mayor Xie Guoliang attended the Keelung MRT Public Hearing, and Keelung's burden exceeded 6.1 billion yuan, hoping to extend the repayment cycle.

(Photo by reporter Lu Xianxiu)

The Keelung MRT Public Hearing was attended enthusiastically.

(Photo by reporter Lu Xianxiu)