Funding for the New North Section of the Keelung MRT has been cut. Mayor Xie Guoliang calls on the central government not to reduce the budget.

The funding for the new northern section of the Keelung MRT has been cut. Keelung Mayor Xie Guoliang called on the central government not to reduce the MRT budget, which will affect the opening schedule. (Photo by reporter Lu Xianxiu)

The New Taipei MRT budget was reduced by NT$5.41 billion, of which the New Taipei section of the Keelung MRT was originally proposed at NT$9.38 billion, but was reduced by nearly NT$4.7 billion by the central government. Keelung Mayor Xie Guoliang also expressed his hope today that the central government will not reduce funds related to the Keelung MRT, otherwise it will definitely affect the completion and opening schedule of the Keelung MRT. Tong Ziwei, a candidate for mayor of Keelung from the Democratic Progressive Party, said, "There is no question of whether to delete it or not. We can discuss the funding profile later."

Xie Guoliang said this morning that regarding the planning and construction of Keelung MRT, he and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Youyi have the same attitude. He hopes that the development of Keelung MRT and New Taipei MRT can proceed as scheduled. If such train cuts will affect the overall completion and opening schedule of the MRT, this is something Keelung citizens will not like to see.

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Xie Guoliang said that the Keelung City Government is conscientiously promoting the Keelung MRT step by step within its responsibilities. Much of the municipal budget has been transferred to the Keelung MRT. He hopes that the central government will not reduce the funds related to the Keelung MRT, otherwise it will affect the completion and opening schedule of the Keelung MRT.

Tong Ziwei responded yesterday that the New Taipei City Government can definitely communicate with the Minister of Transportation Chen Shikai, "There is no issue of whether to delete it or not. We can discuss the funding outline again."

Hou Youyi shouted to the central government yesterday, "You can arrive slowly, but you must not fail." New Taipei City's three MRT construction subsidies in 2016 were significantly reduced by 5.41 billion yuan from the central government. It is understood that the New Taipei MRT Sanying Line was originally proposed to be 3.579 billion yuan, and the central government approved 3 billion yuan, and was reduced by 579 million yuan; the Keelung MRT New Taipei section was originally proposed to be 9.38 billion yuan, but was reduced by nearly 4.7 billion yuan; the original proposed budget of the Danhai Light Rail was not approved.

Tong Ziwei, the Keelung mayoral candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party, hopes that New Taipei City will have good communication and negotiation with the Ministry of Transportation. (Photo by reporter Lu Xianxiu)