Huang Yi-chung, director of the KRTC's Public Affairs Department, said MRT train services will run until 2 a.m., instead of the usual 11:30 p.m.

Huang said that although there is no MRT station adjacent to the square outside the Dream Mall where one of the main New Year's Eve activities will be held, shuttle bus services will be offered from the site to nearby stations to accommodate people attending the celebration.

The municipal government has estimated that some 300,000 Kaohsiung residents will take part in the various New Year's Eve activities to be held around the city.

Huang said that the KRTC will strive to offer the best transportation services to and from the various sites of these celebrations, including a planned concert at Kaohsiung Arena.

The New Year's Eve party outside the Dream Mall is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and run through 1 a.m., with several top singers slated to perform, including the main act -- the legendary Taiwanese rock star Wubai.