The Kaohsiung Light Rail to be extended to C8 Station; free trial rides expected to start by end of June

▲The Kaohsiung Light Rail will be extended to C8 Kaohsiung Exhibition Center Station. (Photo / Credit: Reporter Lai Wen-hsuan)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Kaohsiung City Transportation Bureau announced that the first phase section C4–C8 of the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail (from Kaisyuan Zhonghua Station to Kaohsiung Exhibition Center Station) has passed inspection and is expected to open for trial rides by the end of June at the earliest. The official fare structure for future operations is still under discussion.

Section C1 to C4 of the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail has been in trial operation since October 16 last year, offering free rides to the public, with cumulative ridership reaching 170,000 so far. The extension from C4 to C8 underwent inspection by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications on June 4. After a full day of checks and testing, six “pre-operational improvement items” were listed. The Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation made corrections within three days, applied for operational approval from the ministry, and recently received consent for issuance.

The Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation noted that the C4–C8 section is expected to open by the end of June, initially operating as a trial with free rides for the public. The Kaohsiung City Transportation Bureau also stated that once the full C1 to C8 route, spanning 4.6 kilometers, becomes operational, service hours will be adjusted from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with headways reduced from the original 30 minutes to 10–15 minutes. The route will connect key landmarks in the Asia New Bay Area, including Dream Mall, TAI-LER, China Steel Corporation headquarters, the Kaohsiung Public Library Main Branch, and the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, allowing the public to enjoy the convenience of the light rail system.