Taichung is set to build a new metro line linking the airport with the city centre — good news for commuters and residents along the route, though the city government will have to shoulder most of the cost.

• The Executive Yuan has given its approval in principle to the feasibility study for Taichung's Airport MRT Orange Line, formally moving the project forward.
• The city government has simultaneously launched a tender for technical services covering comprehensive planning, environmental impact assessment and basic design, with a budget of NT$980 million and a submission deadline at the end of August.
• The Orange Line will run about 29 kilometres with 26 stations, connecting Taichung International Airport with Shuinan, the Yizhong shopping district, Taichung Station, National Chung Hsing University and the Software Park.
• Total costs are estimated at more than NT$160 billion, of which the city government would bear about NT$95 billion and the central government about NT$65 billion.
• The line will eventually allow transfers to the existing Green Line and the Blue Line now under construction, extending the metro network into more districts.

Outlook: If the comprehensive planning report is approved by the Executive Yuan, construction is expected to take about 12 years, with the actual timeline still depending on reviews, land acquisition and progress on the works.