On December 26, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) issued an operational permit following the final inspection and testing of the C24-C32 section of the circular light rail. According to the Mass Rapid Transit Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government, trial operations will commence on New Year’s Day.

According to the Mass Rapid Transit Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government, the C24-C32 portion of the circumferential light rail was inspected and tested on December 23, 2023. The Kaohsiung City Government submitted an operational permission application to the MOTC in December after completing pre-operational improvement requirements. Yesterday (26th), the MOTC officially reacted with a reply letter providing operational consent.

Vice Mayor Lin Chin-Jung noted that the city government places great emphasis on circular light rail. Improvements needed before the inspection and testing were done within two days of the initial inspection and testing. Following the inspection and testing, all pre-operational improvement tasks were accomplished immediately. Sincere gratitude is expressed to the MOTC, the initial inspection and testing and inspection and testing commissioners, as well as the city government team for their assistance. This ensured that the final C24-C32 section of the light rail could commence operations before the end of the year. The Mass Rapid Transit Bureau has scheduled a trial operation for January 1, 2024.

Vice Mayor Lin Chin-Jung further noted right after the C24-C32 section of the light rail commenced trial operation, there will be 38 stations throughout the entire route of the circular light rail and the operational route will span 22.1 km. Between the C24 Heart of Love River Station-C32 Kaisyuan Park Station section of the Kaohsiung light rail section, 318 rain trees have been planted. Dashun Road has been transformed into a distinctive green giant tunnel by the thick canopy of trees. The corridor has been lined with shrubs and grass that provide complementary hues from top to bottom. Furthermore, the station incorporates the brilliant design concept of “the five blessings descend upon this home,” which includes happiness, good fortune, long life, auspiciousness, and prosperity. These blessings represent the five forms of happiness that arrive at the front door to welcome the completion of the circular light rail. Following the commencement of the future trial operation, the route will pass by E Sky Land, Costco Da-Shun Branch, Carrefour (Dingshan Store), Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Industrial High School, Shu-Te Home Economics & Commercial High School, St. Joseph Hospital, and other nodes of life. Furthermore, in terms of public transportation links, the C24 Heart of Love River Station can be connected to the Metro Red Line Aozihdi Station via transfer, as well as the C30 Science and Technology Museum Station to the Science and Technology Museum Station of Taiwan Railways via transfer. Together, these stations will form a vital part in connecting Kaohsiung’s public transportation network.

According to Director-General Wu Yi-Lung, the light rail will formally commence circular operation on New Year’s Day next year. The city government has organized the “free rides throughout the entire route of the circular light rail” event to encourage city residents to take trips. From January 1 to February 25, the general public can enter platform stations along the entire route and swipe their cards for free rides. Along with the Metro red and orange lines, Taiwan Rail, public bicycles, and bus shuttle services, an urban green transportation network is formed, providing city residents with more convenient and comfortable public transportation services and transforming Kaohsiung into a livable and travelable green sustainable city.