The Taipei Metro Xinyi Line eastern extension has finished addressing the defects flagged before it can open, and now only needs the go-ahead from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC). This is good news for residents along the line, but the repeatedly postponed opening date has left people frustrated.

• The Xinyi Line eastern extension passed the MOTC inspection on August 1, but was required to fix five major categories of defects within a week.
• The defects included problems on the ground level, concourse level and equipment rooms, incomplete finishing of operational facilities, and missing guard railings outside the doors at the platform ends.
• The Department of Rapid Transit Systems said all the fixes have been completed and the inspection committee members have signed off to confirm this, with an official notice sent to the MOTC on August 13.
• All that remains now is the MOTC's approval, after which the opening can be scheduled.
• Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen criticized the repeatedly broken promises on the opening, and specifically pointed to the surrounding commercial districts, transport connectivity, and the poorly designed pedestrian flow at Wufenpu as issues that should be addressed at the same time.

Outlook: The opening can be scheduled once the MOTC grants approval, but the exact date still depends on the central government giving the green light.