[Taipei] Two New MRT Lines Opening in 2026

◆Introduction

In Taiwan's major cities, which are experiencing remarkable economic growth, MRT (subway/new transit system) and LRT line extensions or new line openings continue almost every year.
In this article, I will introduce one new line that opened in the Taipei metropolitan area in the summer of 2026 and a line extension section expected to open within the year.

◆1. New Taipei Metro Sanying Line (between Dingpu and Yingtao Fude)

The first one to introduce is the New Taipei Metro Sanying Line, which opened on June 30, 2026.
The Sanying Line is a 13.78 km line running between Dingpu (Tucheng District, New Taipei City) and Yingtao Fude (Yingge District, New Taipei City), with a total of 10 intermediate stations in addition to the two terminals. Among these,
the starting station, Dingpu Station, connects to the Taipei Metro Bannan Line, and Yingge Station (Note) connects to the Taiwan Railways Corporation (TRA) West Coast Line and connects.
The line was planned and constructed to improve transportation conditions in Sanxia District and the adjacent Yingge District of New Taipei City, which had long been a railway desert despite continuous population growth as a bedroom community of Taipei, and to improve access to the National Taipei University located in Sanxia District. It is also expected to improve convenience to tourist spots along the line, such as Sanxia Old Street and Yingge Ceramics Old Street. In the future, an
extension of the line from Yingtao Fude Station to Danan Station (Bade District, Taoyuan City) is planned, which is expected to connect to the Taoyuan Metro Green Line, which leads to the redevelopment area near Taoyuan International Airport. For construction, a medium-capacity standard was adopted, and a total of 29 two-car driverless metro trains (small-sized trains capable of unmanned operation) manufactured at Hitachi's Kasado Works in Japan were introduced.
Although direct operation with the Taipei Metro Bannan Line, which was built to a high-capacity standard (subway standard), is not possible, the vehicles and station facilities have been prepared with specifications that match the demand.JapanHitachi Kasado Worksdriverless metro (small-sized train capable of unmanned operation)High-capacity standard (subway standard) construction (Note) In addition to this, Yingtao Fude Station
is also within walking distance of Fengming Station on the TRA West Coast Line.

◆2. Taipei Metro Tamsui-Xinyi Line Extension Section (Xiangshan to Guangci/Fengtian Temple)

Another newly opened section I would like to introduce is the section between Xiangshan and Guangci/Fengtian Temple on the Taipei Metro Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line).
This section was originally scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026, but it is concerning that there has been no news even as of July, which is in the second quarter of the 2026 fiscal year. However,
as of March the Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station was already listed on the route map, and on the ceilings of the southbound platforms at each station on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line, the parts labeled "← [Guangci/Fengtian Temple]" were covered with stickers reading "← [Xiangshan]", suggesting that preparations for the extension were steadily progressing. I assume that the opening has been delayed for some reason, but since safety is the top priority for public transportation, I would like to wait patiently without rushing it.

The extension plan for this section has had its twists and turns. In the
1990s, the original plan was for the Xinyi District terminal station of the Tamsui-Xinyi Line to be located near the current Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station, but because there was an active fault nearby, the plan was changed to make the current Xiangshan Station the terminal station.
However, subsequent geological surveys revealed that the fault previously thought to be active was actually an inactive fault. Following the results of this survey, the extension between Xiangshan and Guangci/Fengtian Temple, which had been temporarily suspended, began moving toward realization again. Regarding the
Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station, which will be the new terminal station, there were also proposals during the initial planning stages to name it "Zhongpo," "Songshan High School of Commerce," or "Fude Xinyi." Also, there was a plan to install a "(tentative name) Xinyi Songde Station" between Xiangshan and Guangci/Fengtian Temple, but this was ultimately scrapped because the distance from
Xiangshan Station was too short. The name of Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station
is derived from the urban park "Guangci Bo'ai Park" and the Taoist temple "Songshan Fengtian Temple" located around the station. I think there will be quite a few tourists who will casually drop by "Songshan Fengtian Temple" once this extension opens.

◆Conclusion

Based on my quick research, I have introduced an overview of the two urban railway lines that have newly opened or are scheduled to open in the Taipei metropolitan area in 2026, as well as highlights along the lines.
For those who will be traveling to Taipei in the future, if you have the chance, I highly recommend visiting the old streets of Sanxia and Yingge via the Sanying Line to look for gourmet food and beautiful ceramics, or extending your trip a little on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line to stop by Songshan Fengtian Temple.