New Taipei: Tests of trains on New Taipei's Sanying Line have reached a crucial phase with the initiation of driverless operation simulations, Mayor Hou Yu-ih announced on Monday. The new metro line is set for completion before the end of the year, with services expected to commence in 2026.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Sanying Line is currently 85.51 percent complete. During an inspection of the ongoing tests, Mayor Hou traveled on a train from Sanxia (LB06) to Yingge (LB08) to witness the progress firsthand. The driverless simulations, a notable feature of the line, are being conducted between Hengxi (LB04) and Yingge (LB08) stations. These tests precede the system-wide evaluations scheduled to begin in October.
The construction is slated for completion by the year's end, with the line anticipated to open next year. The Sanying Line will connect to the Blue Line at Dingpu Station in New Taipei's Tucheng, potentially reducing local residents' commute time to Taipei by approximately 20 minutes.
New Taipei City Councilor Chiang I-chen from Tucheng expressed optimism about the line's impact on local development. She anticipates that the Sanying Line will facilitate the recruitment of medical staff at En Chu Kong Hospital in Sanxia. However, Cho Kuan-ting, a city councilor from Yingge, raised concerns about noise, suggesting the need for additional noise barriers along the predominantly elevated track.