TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Southern Taiwan is bracing for significant traffic disruptions as the Kaohsiung City Transportation Bureau (交通局) — the municipal agency overseeing transportation matters in Taiwan's second-largest city — announced comprehensive road closures for an upcoming major entertainment event. Officials will implement an eight-hour shutdown of Shiyun Avenue on Friday (May 31) from 4 p.m. to midnight during the highly anticipated KT POP concert at Kaohsiung National Stadium (高雄國家體育場).
Transportation officials expect severe congestion on several key arteries surrounding the venue, including Zuonan, Cuihua, and Junxiao roads, along with National Highway 10, a crucial east-west expressway. Concert-goers have been advised to utilize alternative thoroughfares: Minzu, Boai, and High-Speed Rail roads for north-south movement, while Jiachang, Xinzhuang 1st, and Shuiguan roads are recommended for east-west travel. The Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (高雄捷運), the city's metro system operator, will enhance service by deploying additional trains and reducing headways to just three minutes for southbound service toward Xiaogang station following the event's conclusion.
Concert attendees will have access to complimentary shuttle bus services operating directly from the stadium, according to the bureau's official statement. Both the Taiwan Railways Administration (台鐵) — the island's conventional rail service — and Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation have arranged supplementary northbound departures to accommodate the expected surge in passengers returning to Taipei and other northern cities after the performance. Transportation officials encourage travelers to consult the respective transit agencies' websites for comprehensive scheduling information and real-time updates.
Municipal authorities have developed a flexible traffic management strategy that will adapt to real-time crowd movements and density patterns throughout the event. Transportation officials emphasize that on-the-ground conditions will dictate specific implementation of crowd dispersal protocols. The transportation bureau strongly urges all concert-goers to thoroughly research their transportation options in advance and to monitor official government social media accounts and websites for the most current advisories regarding road closures and public transit adjustments. ◼