Taiwan transport ministry holds Yilan high speed rail talks

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Interested parties shared a range of opinions on a high-speed rail extension to Yilan during a public meeting in the east coast county on Wednesday.

The transport ministry held the meeting to discuss the project’s impact on Yilan as part of the second environmental assessment phase. Supporters said the line would bring economic benefits while opponents highlighted environmental concerns and said it would not solve traffic problems as the transport ministry has argued.

Yilan’s Zhuangwei Township Head Shen Ching-shan (沈清山) said he supported the project because connecting Yilan to the high speed rail network would attract new industries and investment. He said it would also allow Yilan locals who had moved away to return, and he hoped the government would complete the project as soon as possible.

A transport ministry Railway Bureau representative said the project was needed because the existing eastern rail line struggles to meet demand during peak hours. They also said road traffic between Taipei and Yilan has increased significantly since National Highway Five opened, and congestion on holidays is particularly bad.

The bureau representative also said the project’s planned route avoids the Feicui Reservoir and terminates at Yilan’s southeast near the county hall. They said this will boost development in areas south of the Lanyang River.

The bureau said it has plans to address the project’s impact on wildlife and the waste it will create. These include fences around construction, avoiding works at peak hours for wildlife activity, and restoring exposed earth to prevent erosion.

Representatives of the Yilan High Speed Rail Extension Supervision Alliance opposed the project. In a Facebook post after the meeting, the alliance listed eight civic groups that also oppose it, including the New Power Party’s Yilan office, land planning associations, and wildlife protection groups.

The statement said tourists mostly use cars and taxis, and bringing more people to Yilan via high-speed rail would worsen congestion. They said more local public transport is needed, not the extension.

The groups also said the planned line crosses through farmland and will impact irrigation schemes, and local settlements. They also said communication from the central government on the issue has been lacking.

The transport ministry said it will consider all opinions shared at the meeting. The ministry also plans to hold public meetings in New Taipei and Taipei on Thursday.