Taiwan will open the long-awaited Sanying Line on June 30, 2026, introducing a major new metro connection across New Taipei City and offering passengers free travel until August 31.
The 14.29-kilometre elevated railway will connect Dingpu with Tucheng, Sanxia and Yingge through 12 stations, giving communities previously dependent on buses and private vehicles direct access to a modern rapid-transit system.
At Dingpu, passengers will be able to transfer to the Taipei Metro Bannan Line, also known as the Blue Line, creating a direct gateway toward central Taipei and the wider metropolitan network.
The two-month free-travel programme is expected to encourage residents and visitors to experience the new route during the summer holiday period. It will also give transport authorities an opportunity to observe passenger flows, refine station operations and introduce travellers to destinations along the corridor.
Free Rides Run from June 30 to August 31
New Taipei City has confirmed that the Sanying Line will be free to use from its opening date through August 31.
The initiative is intended to thank local communities for their support during construction while accelerating early adoption of the city’s newest metro system.
The free-travel period could generate particularly strong weekend demand as residents from Taipei and surrounding districts use the line to explore Sanxia and Yingge. Families, students and cultural tourists may also take advantage of the offer during the summer vacation season.
Authorities will need to manage increased passenger numbers carefully, especially around major interchange points and popular visitor areas. Clear station signs, crowd-management measures and integrated bus connections will be important as passengers become familiar with the route.
Twelve Stations Connect Tucheng, Sanxia and Yingge
The Sanying Line begins at Dingpu and travels through western New Taipei before reaching its terminal area near Fude 1st Road.
The route includes two stations in Tucheng, five in Sanxia and five in Yingge. It is designed as a medium-capacity metro system operating entirely on elevated infrastructure.
This alignment reduces conflict with road traffic while allowing the trains to serve growing residential districts, educational areas and cultural destinations.
For Sanxia and Yingge, the opening represents the arrival of their first direct metro service. New Taipei City expects the line to reduce travel time between the Sanying area and central Taipei by around 20 minutes.
That improvement could reshape commuting choices for thousands of residents while making the districts more accessible to visitors who previously relied on buses, conventional rail or road transport.
Dingpu Interchange Links Passengers to Taipei
The connection with the Bannan Line at Dingpu is central to the project’s regional importance.
Passengers will be able to transfer between the two lines in less than two minutes using vertically arranged station levels and escalators. This design supports efficient movement into Taipei’s established metro system.
From the Blue Line, travellers can continue toward commercial, cultural and transport centres across Greater Taipei, including Banqiao, Ximen and Taipei Main Station.
The interchange will also improve access to Taiwan’s wider rail network, airport connections and intercity services. As a result, the Sanying Line will serve not only local commuters but also domestic tourists and international visitors planning independent journeys around northern Taiwan.
Yingge Tourism Gains Direct Metro Access
Yingge is expected to receive one of the strongest tourism benefits from the new line.
The district is internationally recognised for ceramics, traditional workshops, cultural streets and the New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum. Improved metro access could encourage more visitors to include Yingge in Taipei-area itineraries.
The free-ride period may stimulate additional spending at ceramic stores, cafés, restaurants, markets and cultural attractions during July and August.
Tourism businesses can also develop new walking tours, craft experiences and combined Sanxia–Yingge day trips timed around metro arrivals.
The line’s future extension toward Taoyuan’s Bade district could eventually expand Yingge’s role as a cultural stop between New Taipei, Taoyuan and other transport gateways.
Sanxia Could See Stronger Cultural Visitor Flows
Sanxia also stands to benefit from improved access. The district is known for Sanxia Old Street, traditional architecture, temples, riverside landscapes and National Taipei University.
Direct metro service may attract more students, families and day-trippers while reducing road congestion during weekends and holidays.
Tour operators could use the new line to create car-free itineraries combining Sanxia’s heritage streets with Yingge’s ceramics attractions. This would support New Taipei City’s broader objective of increasing public transport use while distributing visitor spending beyond established central Taipei destinations.
A Major Step in New Taipei’s Transport Strategy
The Sanying Line is New Taipei City’s first self-developed medium-capacity metro system and forms a central part of the municipality’s long-term transport expansion.
Its opening will strengthen suburban connectivity, support urban development and reduce dependence on private vehicles. Future plans preserve the possibility of extending the line toward Bade and connecting with the Taoyuan Metro Green Line.
For travellers, the immediate impact will be simpler journeys, shorter travel times and easier access to important cultural districts.
The June 30 opening, combined with free rides through August, gives Taiwan a major new transport attraction while positioning Sanxia and Yingge for stronger tourism growth across the Greater Taipei region.
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