New Taipei City MRT subsidies face significant central government cuts

A political dispute has emerged in New Taipei City regarding central government subsidies for MRT construction. The spokesperson for KMT mayoral candidate Lee Sichuan criticized legislator Su Chiao-hui, accusing her of failing to advocate effectively for local interests after the central government significantly reduced subsidies for three major MRT projects in New Taipei City.

Specifically, the Sanxing Line subsidy was reportedly cut by 579 million TWD, and the Keelung MRT section within New Taipei City saw a reduction of nearly 4.7 billion TWD. Additionally, subsidies for the Tamsui Light Rail were reportedly eliminated. While the central government cited execution rates as the reason for these adjustments, New Taipei City officials have contested this, stating their execution rates are at 100%.

Separately, discussions regarding the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' 2027 budget of 49.9 billion TWD for local MRT construction have raised questions about fiscal sustainability. Critics argue that while central subsidies are increasing, the long-term costs of operation, maintenance, and equipment updates must be transparently addressed to prevent future financial burdens on subsequent generations.