Keelung's mayoral race is taking shape, with the incumbent formally entering the contest while his main challenger courts commuters — a positive sign for voters who want daily travel fixed, and a tough fight for both sides.

• Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang registered to run again, saying he is confident of winning.
• He campaigned on the slogan that Keelung's future belongs to the next generation, and said he has faced smears and a recall attempt rather than praise.
• He was flanked by both the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party city chapters, pointing to a joint front against the opposition.
• Democratic Progressive Party candidate Tung Tzu-wei, the city council speaker, is pitching faster highway buses to Taipei, with new express runs planned that skip dozens of stops.
• The Executive Yuan has promised to back the plan and speed up transport ministry approval, giving the challenger a central-government boost.

Outlook: Bus operators are set to file for the new express routes this month, and commuting is likely to be a central issue as the campaign heats up.