The Taipei Metro's contract to operate the MRT's circular line expires today. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an stated that according to the contract, the management rights will be returned to New Taipei City. He said that both cities will work together to ensure smooth operations and absolutely not harm the rights and interests of citizens.
Chiang Wan-an, Taipei City Mayor: “According to the contract, when it expires, management should be handed over to New Taipei. So currently, we have reached such a consensus. But most importantly, we want to make sure the rights and interests of passengers will not be affected. We will make it a very smooth handover process.”
Hou Yu-ih, New Taipei City Mayor: “The attitude of the two cities has not changed regarding the operating rights of the Circular Line from former Mayor Ko to present Mayor Chiang's administration. We've held many closed-door meetings and discussions. Basically, all the details have been negotiated. The two cities will make an official public announcement today.”
New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih further explained that the most important thing during the transfer is that the operation will not be affected. Operations will be handed over in stages to ensure a smooth transfer. Chiang Wan-an also stated that once the entire circular line is finished, according to the Mass Rapid Transit Act and consensus between the two cities, it will be operated by a single MRT company. The decision will be made based on relevant regulations, past operations, the length of the route, and the proportion of investment.
台北市長蔣萬安表示：「依照契約，契約到期就應該要移交還給新北，所以目前我們已經達成了這樣的共識，但最重要我們要確保旅客的權益不受影響，所以在整個移交過程，一定會讓它非常順利的完成。」
新北市長侯友宜說道：「環狀線的經營權，從以前柯市長到現在的蔣市長，其實兩市的態度並沒有改變，已經多次開會密商協調，基本上所有的細節都已經談妥，就有待今天兩市正式對外來做一個公布。」
侯友宜也進一步說明，最重要的是在整個經營權的轉換過程當中，營運不要受到影響，會分階段、分梯次做好營運交接。至於環狀線全線完工後是否會爭取經營權？蔣萬安則表示，依照大眾捷運法及雙北共識，全線通車後一定是由單一捷運公司來營運，未來將根據相關法規及過去經營，考量路線長度、出資比例等後再做決定。
