Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit
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The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System (Traditional Chinese: 高雄大眾捷運系統; also known as the KMRT) is a metro system currently under construction in the metropolitan area of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Construction began in October, 2001. Completion is scheduled for sometime in October, 2007. Accidents during construction have led some to question whether such a time frame is indeed feasible, but the consortium has promised to begin limited but free services in December, 2006.
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[edit] Origins
On February 1, 1999, Kaohsiung City Government signalled the start of this BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) project by solicitation of private sector investment for the construction of Kaohsiung MRT System's Red and Orange Lines.
The provisional office of the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC) was established by the locally based China Steel Corporation in February, 1999, which lodged an application to invest in the project following the solicitation of Kaohsiung City Government. The main participants of the KRTC are: China Steel Corporation, Southeast Cement Corporation, RSEA Engineering Corporation, China Development Industrial Bank, and the Industrial Bank of Taiwan.
Following the public appraisal of the applications by Kaohsiung City Government, KRTC was selected on May 26, 1999 as one of the shortlisted applicants. On May 10, 2000, KRTC was selected as the best applicant and concluded the relevant agreements and protocols with Kaohsiung City Government in August, 2000. The raising of the initial capital stock was completed on December 19, 2000 and an inaugural meeting of the stockholders was held on the same day. KRTC obtained a company licence and was registered on December 28, 2000. KRTC signed the "Construction and Operation Agreement" and "Development Agreement" with Kaohsiung City Government on January 12, 2001.
[edit] Scandals & Major Construction Accidents
Late 2004, a large section of a tunnel under construction near Sizihwan station at the end of the Orange Line collapsed. Consequently, more than 10 low-rise apartment buildings above the collapsed tunnel sustained major damages and had to be evacuated. [1]
A scandal in 2005 involving alleged inhumane treatment of Thai migrant workers and improper kickbacks to politicians has tainted the public confidence in the construction of the system and prompted a diplomatic incident involving the Thai Prime Minister asking the migrant workers to return to Thailand. The scandal prompted the resignation of a Taiwanese cabinet minister, Chairperson of the Council of Labor Affairs Chen Chu.[2]
Early in December, 2005 an underground tunnel collapsed under a major throughfare in the city, causing the avenue and also a major road tunnel (which was built a long time before the metro and unrelated to the metro project) above the metro tunnel and below the road to collapse. Buildings near the site were evacuated for a few days for inspection. It was estimated that the road and the road tunnel cannot be completely rebuilt and reopened for traffic for at least a few months.
[edit] Routes
The total combined length of Red and Orange Lines of Kaohsiung MRT System will be 42.7 kilometers. Along these two lines, there will be 38 stations, of which 28 will be underground, 2 at ground level and eight elevated.
- Gangshan South (南岡山) - Siaogang (小港)
- 28.3 km, 24 stations (15 underground, 8 elevated, and 1 ground level)
Extending from south to north, the route of Red Line is starting at the intersection of Yanhai and Hanmin Roads in Siaogang District, then following Jhongshan Road as it passes through Kaohsiung International Airport, Labor Park, Sanduo Shopping District, Central Park, Dagangpu Circle to Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) Kaohsiung Station. After crossing the tracks yard of TRA, the route then follows Boai Road until Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Zuoying Station / TRA New Zuoying Station. Then the route passes through Bapingshan, extends along Zuonan Road to Nanzih Export Processing Zone, and continues to enter Kaohsiung County. The route finally passes along the Gaonan Highway to Ciaotou Township and the southern border area of Gangshan Township. The total length of Red Line is about 28.3 kilometers, with 24 stations on the route, of which 15 are underground, 8 elevated and 1 at ground level. Two depots will be built near Caoya Station and beside Gangshan South Station to serve the line.
- Sizihwan (西子灣) - Daliao (大寮)
- 14.4 km, 14 stations (13 underground and 1 ground level)
Extending from west to east, the route of Orange Line is starting at Sizihwan (Linhai 2nd Road), crossing the track yard of TRA Kaohsiung Port Station and following Dayong Road to pass through Love River. Then the route follows Jhongjheng Road as it passes through Kaohsiung City Council, Dagangpu Circle, Cultural Center, Martial Arts Stadium and the Weiwuying Park planning site before entering Kaohsiung County. The route continues to pass along Zihyou Road , Guangyuan Road and Jhongshan East Road in Fongshan City to Daliao Township. The total length of the line is about 14.4 kilometers, with 14 stations on the route. All of the stations will be underground except the ground level Daliao Station. A single depot will be built beside Daliao Station to serve the line.
[edit] See also
- CKS International Airport Access MRT System
- List of rapid transit systems
- Rail transport in Taiwan
- Taipei Rapid Transit System
[edit] References & notes
- ^ "Construction halts on Kaohsiung Orange Line", The Taipei Times, August 14, 2004, pp. 2.
- ^ "Probe into Kaohsiung MRT project urged", Taiwan News, October 5, 2004.
