BuzzOrange, an online media outlet managed by Tai Chi-chuan (a close associate of Ko Wen-je), recently published an article titled: “With the same construction time, the Hokkaido Shinkansen—three times longer—is already in service; what is our Airport MRT doing?” The content accuses the Taoyuan Airport MRT of spending a similar budget over the same timeframe as the Hokkaido Shinkansen, despite being only one-third the length, yet failing to complete its final inspections and handover.
🙅♂️ Comparing Solely by Budget is a Severely Flawed Logic
However, looking strictly at the recent construction costs is severely inaccurate. The truth is that the Seikan Tunnel, the most critical part of the Hokkaido Shinkansen route, was completed long ago. When the subsea tunnel was originally built, it was designed according to Shinkansen standards. The ballastless track (Plinth) was pre-installed with bolts for standard gauge tracks, meaning they only needed to adjust the rail width to accommodate the Shinkansen. This is the primary reason the recent construction budget appeared similar to that of the Taoyuan Airport MRT.
The Hokkaido Shinkansen was planned with a century-long engineering vision. In contrast, the professional integrity of the Taoyuan Airport MRT was overshadowed by greedy interference from a certain political party.
Dealing with a media giant that prioritizes damaging its own government over fact-checking is an exhausting task for the public’s intellect.