TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei City's police force mobilized Thursday (May 15) in a sweeping security operation across major transportation centers, focusing on Banqiao Station (板橋站), Touqianzhuang Station (頭前庄站), and Jingan Station (景安站). The heightened measures come ahead of Saturday's opening ceremony for the 2025 World Masters Games (2025雙北世界壯年運動會), an international sporting event expected to draw more than 25,000 athletes representing 110 countries.
Authorities expect the games to trigger a substantial surge in passengers using Taiwan's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network, necessitating the deployment of additional security personnel at strategic stations and nearby competition venues. Police officials stress that these precautions are essential to ensure international athletes and spectators can navigate New Taipei's public transportation system safely and efficiently during the two-week sporting competition.
Transit security officers will roll out what they've dubbed the "Enhanced Security Patrol" project across three critical rail networks: the Circular Line (環狀線), Ankeng Light Rail Transit (安坑輕軌), and Danhai Light Rail Transit (淡海輕軌). The comprehensive security approach combines canine bomb detection units, cutting-edge surveillance technology, tactical response teams, and plainclothes investigators working in concert to identify and neutralize potential threats.
The New Taipei City Traffic Police Corps emphasized that safeguarding public transit becomes particularly crucial during high-profile international gatherings. Officials have substantially increased random security sweeps and patrols between stations and aboard trains, implementing protocols refined through experiences with previous global events. These measures reflect Taiwan's determination to showcase its capability to host major international competitions safely. ◼