The operations of the Green Line of Taichung MRT was approved by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) on 11/6. Today (10th) the Mayor of Taichung, Lu Shiow-Yen, announced the commencement ceremony held on December 19th this year for the official operations of the Taichung MRT at the meeting of the civil affairs as the Christmas and New Year gift for the citizens of Taichung as well as the token of keeping her promise. She pointed out that the test operations will begin between November 16th and December 15th and riders with e-tickets can enjoy free trial rides at one of the 18 stations of the Green Line. Everyone is welcome on board.
Mayor Lu said that the Central Government approved the official operations of the Green Line of Taichung MRT. Because this is the first MRT line in the Great Central Taiwan area between Kaohsiung and Taoyuan, not only the citizens of Taichung but also the people around Taiwan are concerned about the test operations initiative and date of official operations. From 16th of this month, next Monday, to December 15th, there will be a whole month of test operations and free rides on the Taichung MRT that are available at the 18 stations of the Line. On December 19th, the commencement ceremony will be officially held as the Christmas and New Year gift for the citizens of Taichung by keeping the promise to begin operations on time.
According to Mayor Lu, to protect people from the pandemic, riders for both official and test operations, are reminded to wear a face mask and use e-tickets such as EasyCard, iPass, and iCash to get on board and to facilitate the capacity test b being conducted by the Taichung City Government. The period of the "Test Operations and Free Ride" will be for one month from 7:00 to 20:00 daily from November 16th to December 6th. During peak hours on weekdays, the MRT trains will arrive every five minutes while during off peak hours, they will come every eight minutes. On weekends, MRT trains are scheduled to run every eight minutes. From December 7th to 15th, schedules will be operated according to the timetable of official operations and free rides are offered between 6:00 to 24:00 daily. During the midnight hours (from 23:00 t0 24:00), MRT trains are scheduled to run every 15 minutes.
The Taichung Rapid Transit Corporation pointed out that riders with e-tickets (EasyCard, iPass, and iCash) are able to enter and exit the 18 stations of the Green Line freely and they can enjoy free MRT rides. Those without e-tickets can purchase them at the front desk of the stations. Additionally, to protect people from the pandemic, riders must wear a face mask during their rides and the Taichung Rapid Transit Corporation also called for riders to observe "MRT manners" including no food and drinks and letting others to get off first.
According to the Transportation Bureau, operations were initially planned between 6:00 and 24:00 daily and MRT trains are scheduled in an interval between five to eight minutes while during the midnight hours, trains will arrive every 15 minutes. Schedules are subject to change according to transit time of riders on the Taiwan Railways and the Taiwan High Speed Rail or special events. The starting price is NT$20 and riders can use EasyCard, iPass, and iCash to ride on the Taichung MRT.