Ko Chih-en Unveils Four Pillars of Transportation Reform! Counters Lai Jui-long: Don't Conflate Dapinpu Relocation with Central Budget

KMT Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en held a press conference today (28) titled 'Xiong Hao Xing, Kaohsiung Xing' to unveil her transportation reform policy, proposing four major reform pillars: 'human-centric, scooter-friendly, smart traffic, and green transportation.' She signed two transportation reform commitment letters, declaring her vision to build a safe and livable transportation city. On the same day, in response to DPP mayoral candidate Lai Jui-long's claim that delays in the central government's budget review could affect the relocation progress of Dapinpu, Ko's campaign office issued a statement refuting the claim and criticizing Lai for politicizing the relocation issue.

Regarding the signing of the transportation improvement commitment, the campaign office pointed out that the relocation issue has remained unresolved for years under DPP governance.

Ko stated that Kaohsiung has over a million commuters daily, and transportation reform is not merely about improving road infrastructure but a crucial municipal issue. She proposed four directions for transportation reform, starting with promoting a 'Safe School Zone,' improving the school surroundings within a 150-meter radius, and gradually building a 15-minute walking lifestyle circle. She also pledged to increase sidewalk coverage on 12-meter-wide roads in urban planning zones to 65% by 2030.

Addressing scooter riders' needs, Ko proposed a 'Scooter Amnesty' policy, aiming to comprehensively review the two-stage left-turn system by 2030, reducing mandatory waiting intersections to less than 5% citywide. She also plans to review the design of medians separating fast and slow lanes to improve blind spots and traffic weaving. Additionally, she will promote the 'Scooter Parking Plan' to increase parking spaces, relax parking restrictions for large motorcycles, and enhance parking convenience through engineering designs such as roadside scooter bends.

On smart transportation, she advocates introducing an AI-powered traffic management system to improve signal coordination, implementing uninterrupted power systems at key intersections, and upgrading road signs. For green transportation, she aims to improve bus waiting environments, restore the first 30 minutes of YouBike rides as free, and expand YouBike stations to 1,800 by 2030, improving the last mile of public transit.

At the press conference, Ko signed not only the 'Mayoral Candidate Transportation Improvement Pledge' but also the 'Kaohsiung Transportation Reform Pledge' proposed by civic groups. Attendees including Chen Xiangting, Deputy Director of the Next Generation Human-Centric Transportation Promotion Association; traffic content creator 'Owl Cat Head Eagle Traffic Book'; child and pedestrian rights advocate Wu Tingjun; and Taiwan People's Party Kaohsiung council candidate Lin Yukai offered suggestions on traffic engineering, safety education, road design, and human-centric transportation.

Regarding Lai's claim that delays in the central budget review could affect Dapinpu relocation and related construction, Ko's campaign office stated that the Dapinpu relocation plan was approved by the Executive Yuan as early as 2019. Citing the Ministry of Economic Affairs, they noted that the initial NT$6 billion for the industrial park has already been advanced by relevant funds, so relocation preparations are unaffected by the central budget review process.

The campaign office also emphasized that the Kaohsiung New Materials Circular Industrial Park is still in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) supplementary stage. Since the EIA process is not yet complete, the park cannot proceed to subsequent development stages. They argued that Lai's attempt to link relocation progress with the central budget is deliberately confusing the issue.

Ko's office stressed that Dapinpu residents have long suffered from heavy industrial pollution, and relocation should prioritize residents' housing rights and health, not become a political tool. Ko will continue advocating for 'one ping for one ping' and ensuring relocation does not increase residents' financial burden, safeguarding their rights. She also urged the ruling party to seriously address local needs and accelerate related work.