TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Legislator Huang Jie (黃捷) urged the Transportation Minister to intensify efforts on the southward extension plan of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR, 高鐵) on Tuesday (Oct. 22).
She expressed concerns about the route extending to Pingtung and questioned Minister Chen Shih-kai's (陳世凱) understanding of the pivotal change from the Zuoying (左營) plan to the Kaohsiung plan.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) clarified that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) initially proposed four viable routes, later focusing on the Zuoying and Kaohsiung options.
He emphasized the Executive Yuan's (行政院) desire for MOTC to communicate extensively with local areas. Soon after taking office, the ministry reported extending the high-speed rail to Pingtung.
Huang Jie expressed dissatisfaction with Minister Chen, suggesting that the premier seemed more knowledgeable about the project than the minister. She reiterated her call for the minister to intensify his efforts.