Taipei Main Station

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台北車站
Taipei Station
Taipei Railway Station
Taipei Main Station
Code 100
R13/BL7
A1
Operating System Taiwan Railway Administration
Taipei Rapid Transit System
Line Taiwan High Speed Rail
Western LineDanshui Line

Danshui Line (Red Line)
NanGang Line (Blue Line
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System

Area Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Type of station Underground
Opened September 2, 1989
December 24,1999
Information about Taiwan Railway Administration Station
Level 特等
Zhuyin Code ㄊㄞ
Mileage
(from Keelung)
‎28.4 km
Exterior of Taipei Main Station
Exterior of Taipei Main Station

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 boast 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. This project will coincide with the opening the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System, which is slated for completion by the year 2012.

Contents

[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

One of the underground railway platforms of Taipei Main Station in the TRA section
One of the underground railway platforms of Taipei Main Station in the TRA section

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 High Speed Rail: Scheduled HSR services began operating out of Taipei Main Station on March 2, 2007. Previously, southbound travelers had to board at the Banciao HSR Station, just west of Taipei.

Bus depots are located outside the station building itself:

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


 
TRTS Red Line(Danshui Line1aXinbeitou Branch LineXinyi Line
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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