TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) on Friday (Nov. 1) expressed his commitment to restore the eastern rail and road networks swiftly.
Typhoon Kong-rey and a predawn 5.5-magnitude earthquake have wreaked havoc on Hualien County, damaging key transportation routes.
Officials anticipate reopening the Hualien to Taitung railway line by 3 p.m. Friday, and the Suhua railway line will resume service on Saturday's first train.
The Suhua Highway (蘇花公路) will remain closed until Saturday afternoon.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) has initiated a comprehensive land, sea, and air transportation plan to alleviate congestion. The plan includes using highways to support rail services and adding trains on the South Link Line (南迴線) once operational.
Air travel will see increased flights to Hualien and Taitung, with 324 domestic flights scheduled for Friday and 140 canceled. Authorities expect air services to return to normal after noon, while maritime operations face delays due to rough seas.