TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Kaohsiung MRT system recorded its highest-ever ridership, with average daily passenger numbers surpassing 240,000 in the first quarter, while the operator also announced an additional weekday train during school dismissal hours to ease congestion.
Kaohsiung Metro said the full system, including the Red Line, Orange Line, and light rail, averaged 248,600 passengers a day in Q1, with 205,300 on the MRT network and 43,300 on the light rail, per CNA. This marked a year-on-year increase of nearly 4.2%, driven mainly by growth in commuter and student ridership.
The company attributed the increase to city-led promotional events and the expansion of the TPASS commuter pass program. It said fare incentives have helped strengthen the system’s core commuter and student passenger base.
Data showed weekday users of TPASS and MeNGo commuter passes increased 9.2% from a year earlier. The biggest gains were recorded at Zuoying and Kaohsiung Main Station during weekday school rush hours.
To accommodate rising demand, Kaohsiung Metro said it will add an extra weekday train from Siaogang to Gangshan. From 4:12 p.m. at Cianjhen Senior High School Station, train intervals will be tightened to five to six minutes, bringing peak-hour service forward by 20 minutes.
The operator said steady commuter growth is key to the system’s long-term sustainability. It pledged to continue working with the city government to improve punctuality and passenger comfort.
