Taipei Main Station
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| Code |  100 R13／BL7 A1 |
| Operating System | Taiwan Railway Administration Taipei Rapid Transit System |
| Line |  Taiwan High Speed RailWestern Line、
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| Area | Zhongzheng District, Taipei City |
| Type of station | Underground |
| Opened | September 2, 1989December 24,1999 |
| Information about Taiwan Railway Administration Station | |
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| Level | 特等 |
| Zhuyin Code | ㄊㄞ |
| Mileage (from Keeulung) |
28.4 km |
Taipei Main Station (台北車站, literally The Taipei Station) refers to the old downtown region in Taipei City, Republic of China ( Taiwan ) where different types of public transport systems converge. The Taipei Railway Station is at the center of this region. Prior to the completion of the Taipei Rapid Transit System's (a.k.a. MRT) link to the railway station, the region was simply known in English as the Taipei Station or the Taipei Railway Station.
The station is located in the Zhongzheng District in Downtown Taipei. The region just south of the station is known as the "front of the train station" or simply "station front" because the original train station's main entrance faced the south. The region just north of the station is known as the "back of the train station" or simply "station rear." The station rear region is actually located in the Datong District. The commercial districts around the station are popular with students and commuters, and boasts a large collection of bookstores, eclectic businesses targeting students, and cram schools. Because of its location at what is roughly considered the center of Taipei, the station is often a popular meeting point for students and tourists.
Taipei Main Station and its surrounding area will soon undergo renovation and redevelopment. A project that will coincide with the opening the CKS International Airport Access MRT System, which is slated for completion by the year 2012.
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[edit] History
The first rail station in Taipei was completed in Dadaocheng in 1891, when the railway to Keelung was opened to service. In 1901, the station was to the east of the current location. The station was rebuilt in 1940 to accommodate growing passenger traffic.
To alleviate traffic congestion caused by railroad crossings in downtown Taipei, an underground railway tunnel between Huashan and Wanhua was built along with the present station building. When the underground system was completed on September 2, 1989, railway service was moved to the newly completed building and the old building as well as a temporary station were demolished.
The current station was further expanded with the completion of the MRT. The MRT station is connected to the basement of the railway station and opened to passenger traffic in 1998. Extensive underground malls now exist at the front and back of the station, which emulates the underground station malls found in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.
The Taipei Main Station will soon be under renovation as on July 20, 2005, Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki was chosen to design two skyscrapers that would surround the railroad station . Maki will also oversee the renovation of the Taipei Railroad Station. The height of the two towers is uncertain, but the height of the taller tower has been estimated between 72-86 stories, whereas the shorter tower would range from 52-64 stories. The two skyscrapers will be constructed on empty parcels found adjacent to Taipei Main Station.
[edit] Services
The station itself is a large building which houses multiple rail services as well as serving as the headquarters of the Taiwan Railway Administration. The railway platforms are located on the B2 level, while the B1 level serves as a waiting area. Ticketing services are on the first floor while the second floor contains a food court and several stores. The upper levels are offices.
- Taiwan Railway Administration: Passengers can take a train to most cities in Taiwan without transferring. East-bound (clockwise) trains may go to Keelung, Yilan, Hualian, Taitung, etc. West-bound (counterclockwise) trains go to Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, etc.
- Taipei Rapid Transit System: Taipei Main Station is served by both Danshui Line and Banqiao/Nangang Line directly and is a major transfer hub.
- CKS International Airport Access MRT System: A route to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is planned for completion in 2012
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: Taiwan HSR is scheduled to start service in October 2006. Taiwan HSR will provide a close indirect link to the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport.
Bus depots are located outside the station building itself:
- City Buses: Bus routes to destinations within Taipei City and Taipei County, both located in the Taipei Basin.
- Intercity Buses: Many bus companies provide service from Taipei to cites in the western half of Taiwan as well as Yilan. They also provide service to the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with traveling time around forty minutes.
[edit] See also
- Rail transport in Taiwan
- Taiwan Railway Administration
- Taipei Rapid Transit System
- CKS International Airport Access MRT System
[edit] External links
 TRTS Red Line（Danshui Line1a、Xinbeitou Branch Line、Xinyi Line） |
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| Danshui1b - Hongshulin - Zhuwei2 - Guandu - Zhongyi - Fuxinggang - Beitou - Qiyan - Qilian - Shipai - Mingde - Zhishan - Shilin - Jiantan - Yuanshan - Minquan W. Rd. - Shuanglian - Zhongshan - Taipei Main Station - NTU Hospital - Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall - Dongmen - Daan Park - Daan - Anhe Rd. - World Trade Center - Elephant Mountain - (R04) - Guangci Care Home
Xinbeitou Branch Line：Xianbeitou - Beitou 1) also as Danshuei (Tamsui)/Tamshui; 2) In Tongyong Pinyin: Jhuwei |
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