The Transformation of Kaohsiung's Public Transport: How Citizens' Commuting Habits are Changing
Over the past twenty years, Kaohsiung City's transportation system has undergone a massive transformation. From the MRT and light rail to the undergrounding of the railway, these developments have not only changed the city's landscape but also gradually influenced the way citizens travel. The goal of this transportation revolution is to reduce reliance on private vehicles and shift toward more environmentally friendly public transport.
Looking back at Kaohsiung's transportation development, the opening of the MRT Red Line eighteen years ago was a major milestone, marking the city's formal entry into the era of mass transit. Subsequently, eleven years ago, the first phase of the Kaohsiung Light Rail began operations, adding more flexible mobility options to the city. These modern modes of transport have provided new commuting alternatives for citizens who were previously highly dependent on scooters.
In addition to the MRT and light rail, the urban railway undergrounding project completed eight years ago has also played a key role. This project not only eliminated the division of urban space caused by tracks but also added several commuter stations, making train travel as convenient as the MRT. This has encouraged more residents living along the railway lines to put down their scooter keys and switch to commuting by train.
For a long time, Kaohsiung citizens have been accustomed to using scooters for transportation. This lifestyle is often passed down from parents to the next generation, forming a kind of "intergenerational reproduction of transportation habits." However, as the public transport network becomes more comprehensive, this tradition is being broken. An increasing number of young people and students are now choosing to take the MRT or light rail, indicating that the transportation mindset of the new generation is changing.
While changing long-standing habits takes time, Kaohsiung's transportation transformation has already shown initial results. Through continuous construction and service optimization, Kaohsiung is working hard to transition from a "scooter city" into a modern "green transport city." In the future, as the network becomes denser, public transport is expected to become the preferred choice for more citizens in their daily lives.