TRA Jiji Branch Line Fully Reopens, Departs from Ershui Station

(Central News Agency, reporter Cheng Wei-chen, Changhua, June 25) The TRA Jiji Branch Line fully reopened today. Many railway enthusiasts and tourists flocked to Ershui Station early in the morning, preparing to take a painted train to Checheng Station. After Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai and others rang the bell together, the train departed with a whistle at 9 a.m.

The Jiji Branch Line departs from Ershui Station in Changhua, passing through Yuanchuan Station and entering Nantou County at Zhuoshui Station, Longquan Station, Jiji Station, and Shuili Station, with Checheng Station as the terminus. In August 2021, due to a landslide at kilometer 11.5 of Provincial Highway 16, the Jiji Branch Line tunnel, which runs parallel to Provincial Highway 16, was covered and squeezed by soil and rocks. To carry out disaster repair and infrastructure improvement plans, the Jiji Branch Line was suspended. In January of this year, the first phase of reopening to Jiji Station was completed.

TRA Corporation held the "Overture to the Jiji Line's Departure" at Ershui Station this morning. Attendees included Chen Shih-kai, Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Su-yue, Kuomintang legislator Hsieh Yi-feng, TRA Corporation Chairman Cheng Kuang-yuan and President Feng Hui-sheng, Deputy Director of the Tourism Administration Huang Ho-ting, and Director of the Sepa National Scenic Area Administration Tsao Chung-yu.

Chen Shih-kai stated in his speech that the Jiji Branch Line has a century of history. It was originally built for the Sun Moon Lake hydroelectric power project and also served to transport bananas, timber, and other goods. This reopening ahead of schedule, under the expectations of all parties, not only improved the tracks but also the stations, presenting a brand new, beautiful, and safe Jiji Branch Line. In the future, it will extend in another direction to the High-Speed Rail station in Tianzhong Township, Changhua County, connecting the High-Speed Rail and TRA, all the way to the mountainous area.

Chen Su-yue said that the reopening of the Jiji Branch Line is a new milestone. She thanked TRA Corporation for its efforts and the Ministry of Transportation for its funding, allowing the branch line to reappear. The Tianzhong Branch Line is currently under construction. If it can be connected from Changhua High-Speed Rail Station to Ershui and Checheng in the future, utilizing the tourist railway, it is believed that it will further boost the tourism industries of Changhua and Nantou.

"I've waited so long for this moment!" said Mr. Deng from Taichung City to a Central News Agency reporter. He had planned to take the train to Checheng a few years ago but was disappointed by the suspension. Today, he can finally witness the full line reopening, which excites him greatly.

A resident from Hsinchu said he has always wanted to visit Checheng. He woke up around 4 a.m. today and rushed to take a train to Taichung, then transferred to Ershui Station, all to catch this commemorative train. (Editor: Lee Hsi-chang) 0625115

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