TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's bullet train network will soon have new leadership at its helm, Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) announced Wednesday (June 11) during a closely watched press briefing. Minister without Portfolio Shih Che (史哲), a veteran public administrator with more than a quarter-century of government service, will take over as chairman of Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR, 台灣高鐵), the island's premier intercity rail system.
Shih's extensive résumé includes positions at the Taichung County Government, Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, Kaohsiung City Government, Ministry of Culture (MOC, 文化部), and most recently as a minister without portfolio, a specialized cabinet-level position without departmental responsibilities. The appointee holds academic credentials from Tunghai University (東海大學), a private institution in central Taiwan.
During the announcement, Minister Chen acknowledged the strong public trust already established in the high-speed rail system's operational capabilities, noting widespread confidence in its capacity, safety standards, and scheduling precision. Nevertheless, he outlined several priority areas requiring enhancement under the incoming chairman's leadership, specifically pointing to passenger experience improvements, transportation culture development, and more aggressive marketing strategies.
Chen specifically cited Shih's relevant qualifications in the transportation sector, emphasizing his previous oversight of significant urban transit initiatives, including light rail implementation and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system planning during his tenure as deputy mayor of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's largest southern port city.
Among Shih's primary responsibilities will be overseeing the ambitious north-south extension project for the high-speed rail network, which currently spans 350 kilometers connecting major population centers from Taipei to Kaohsiung. The new chairman will also serve as a crucial liaison between the rail corporation and government agencies, a role for which his previous position as Kaohsiung's deputy mayor provides valuable experience.
The appointment comes amid a broader reshuffling of transportation leadership positions across Taiwan. The ministry announced that outgoing THSR chairman Jeng Kung-yeun (鄭光遠) will transition to lead Taiwan Railway (台鐵), the island's conventional rail system, while Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀), who previously directed the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, a repurposed tobacco factory turned arts venue in Taipei, will become director-general of the Tourism Administration (觀光署). ◼