TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) announced that the Taichung MRT Blue Line will begin construction next Thursday (June 26). To celebrate the occasion, the city will offer free rides on the MRT Green Line and seek the 50 millionth passenger, who will win a pair of business-class tickets to any Starlux Airlines (星宇航空) destination in Asia.
Mayor Lu noted that the Blue Line's construction will create a "golden cross" with the Green Line at the City Hall Station (市政府站), enhancing Taichung's MRT network. She noted that the future vision includes seven lines to strengthen the metropolitan transit system.
Last Monday, the Green Line reached its milestone of 50 million passengers, with the 50 million passengers eligible for the grand prize of business-class tickets. Before and after this milestone, the passengers were confirmed and awarded single round-trip economy-class tickets.
Mayor Lu awarded Miss Chiang (江), the passenger just before the milestone, who expressed appreciation for the MRT's convenience and plans to use her ticket to visit Japan. The mayor mentioned that 50 million passengers might be from Kaohsiung, and they used an iPASS card for the ride. She added that the government hopes to find this person soon to deliver the grand prize.
The city's efforts to expand the MRT network with the Blue Line mark a significant step in improving public transportation, reflecting Taichung's commitment to a more connected future.