✨ More Than Rail Tracks, a Catalyst for Urban Vitality: National-Level Recognition

With outstanding service quality and an innovative vision, the Mass Rapid Transit Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government stood out amid fierce competition at the 8th Government Service Awards organized by the Executive Yuan. Under the theme “Connecting the Dots of Light Rail to Form a Barrier-Free Circle,” the Bureau received the prestigious Social Innovation and Inclusivity Award, one of the most highly regarded honors of the program.

A total of 144 government agencies nationwide participated in the selection process. Kaohsiung’s Mass Rapid Transit Bureau was the only rail development authority to be recognized, making this accolade not only a top endorsement of the Kaohsiung Light Rail’s operational achievements, but also a compelling example of how the City Government has successfully integrated public transportation with urban development and social well-being. The success of the Kaohsiung Light Rail further reflects Kaohsiung’s people-centric governance philosophy, advancing all-age inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and the equitable use of social resources.

🚄 Strong Ridership Growth Reflects Deep Integration with Urban Life and City Events

Nearly two years after the Kaohsiung Light Rail completed its full circular route, it has evolved from a transportation project into an indispensable part of everyday life for residents. Data show that the Kaohsiung Light Rail continues to significantly boost the city’s mobility efficiency and overall vitality, with momentum showing no signs of slowing. Total ridership has increased 6.7 percent year on year, and on Saturday, December 13, ridership reached 80,000 passenger trips in a single day, driven by major events along the line such as those at Dream Mall, Kaohsiung Music Center, and Pier-2 Art Center. This figure came close to the all-time single-day record of 94,000 trips during the Lunar New Year period.

Looking at daily travel patterns, school-related trips rose by 15%, medical visits by 20%, and leisure and tourism trips by 5% this year. On weekdays, the Kaohsiung Light Rail supports students and office workers in their daily commutes, while on weekends it serves as a key mode of transport for residents and visitors exploring the city. These trends clearly demonstrate how the Kaohsiung Light Rail has become deeply embedded in Kaohsiung’s urban rhythm and civic life.

🌳 More Than a Transit Network: The Kaohsiung Light Rail as a “Moving Landmark”

Director-General Wu Jia-chang of the Mass Rapid Transit Bureau noted that the core idea behind the award-winning theme, “Connecting the Dots, Enabling Barrier-Free Mobility in a Complete Circle,” lies in successfully integrating rail infrastructure with urban aesthetics.

• A new aesthetic for urban transport: With its distinctive grass-covered tracks, the Kaohsiung Light Rail transforms what would otherwise be cold, rigid rail lines into the city’s most beautiful green artery, creating a one-of-a-kind moving landmark within the urban landscape.
• All-ages, inclusive design: Both the trains and station facilities are designed with universal accessibility in mind. Parents with strollers, students rushing to class, older adults traveling for medical care, and visitors exploring city attractions can all board and ride with ease.
• A true moving landmark: Like a ribbon of green weaving through the city, the Kaohsiung Light Rail enables commuting, schooling, medical visits, and tourism to be seamlessly connected through a single transfer. By effectively linking everyday life nodes across Kaohsiung, it has become the city’s most iconic moving landmark.

🤝🎉 Co-Creating with Citizens: Continuous Improvement Toward a More Livable, Inclusive Port City

The Mass Rapid Transit Bureau emphasized that this national-level honor belongs to every resident who supports and rides the Kaohsiung Light Rail. It marks a shared milestone achieved together with the people of Kaohsiung. Looking ahead, the Bureau will continue to optimize the transit network and enhance service quality, striving to make Kaohsiung a model city for transportation that is more livable, inclusive, and convenient.