Taipei Metro

Taipei Metro
Overview
Locale Taipei and New Taipei, Republic of China
Transit type Rapid transit
Number of lines 11[1][Note 1]
Number of stations 107[1]
Daily ridership 1.86 million (2014)[2]
2.10 million (Dec. 2014)[2]
Annual ridership 679,506,401 (2014)[2]
Headquarters 7, Lane 48, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., 10448, Taipei City, Taiwan
Operation
Began operation March 28, 1996
Operator(s) Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation
Headway 3-8 minute peak, 8-12 mins off peak[3]
Technical
System length 129.2 km (80.3 mi)[1]
Track gauge High-capacity:
1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge)[4]
Medium-capacity:
1,880 mm (6 ft 2 in)[5]
Minimum radius of curvature High-capacity: 200 m[6]
Medium-capacity: 30 m[6]
Electrification Third rail 750 V DC
Average speed High-capacity: 34 km/h
Medium-capacity: 33 km/h[6]
Top speed High-capacity: 90 km/h
Medium-capacity: 80 km/h[6]
Taipei Metro
Traditional Chinese 台北大眾捷運系統
Simplified Chinese 台北大众捷运系统
Taipei Metro
Traditional Chinese 台北捷運
Simplified Chinese 台北捷运
Second alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 台北大眾捷運公司
Simplified Chinese 台北大众捷运公司
Headquarter of Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation at Rapid Transit Administration Building, Taipei.

The Taipei Metro, more commonly known as the MRT or formally as the Taipei Rapid Transit System (Chinese: 臺北大眾捷運系統; pinyin: Táiběi Dàzhòng Jiéyùn Xìtǒng), is a rapid transit system serving metropolitan Taipei in Republic of China. The system is built by the Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) and operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC). It consists of 107 stations (116 stations if transfer stations are double-counted) and 5 lines, operating on 129.2 kilometres (80.3 mi) of revenue track.[1] The system carried an average of over 1.78 million passengers per day in December 2012.[2]

The Taipei Metro is Taiwan's first metro system.[7] Since it first began operations in 1996, the system has been effective in relieving some of Taipei's traffic congestion problems.[8] The system has also proved effective as a catalyst for urban renewal, as well as increasing tourist traffic to outlying towns such as Tamsui. Conversions to existing railway lines were made to integrate them into the metro system.

Network and operations

The system operates according to a spoke-hub distribution paradigm, with most rail lines running radially outward from central Taipei. The MRT system operates from 6 am to midnight daily[9] (the last trains finish their runs by 1 am), with extended services during special events (such as New Year festivities).[10] Trains operate at intervals of 1.5 to 15 minutes depending on the line and time of day.[9][11] Smoking is forbidden in the entire metro system, while eating, drinking, chewing gum and betel nuts are forbidden within the paid area.[12]

Stations become extremely crowded during rush hours, especially at transfer stations such as Taipei Main Station, Zhongxiao Fuxing, and Minquan West Road. Automated station announcements are recorded in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and English.[13]

Lines

LineTermini
(District, City)		StationsLength
(km)		Depot
Wenhu Line
Line 1
[Note 2]		 Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center
(Nangang, Taipei)		Taipei Zoo
(Wenshan, Taipei)		2425.7Neihu
Muzha
Tamsui-Xinyi Line
Line 2
[Note 3]		 Tamsui
(Tamsui, New Taipei)		Xiangshan
(Xinyi, Taipei)		2729.6Beitou
Xinbeitou Branch Xinbeitou
(Beitou, Taipei)		Beitou
(Beitou, Taipei)		21.2
Songshan-Xindian Line
Line 3		 Songshan
(Songshan, Taipei / Xinyi, Taipei)		Xindian
(Xindian, New Taipei)		1919.4 Xindian
Xiaobitan Branch Qizhang
(Xindian, New Taipei)		Xiaobitan
(Xindian, New Taipei)		21.9
Zhonghe-Xinlu Line
Line 4
[Note 4]		 Huilong
(Xinzhuang, New Taipei / Guishan, Taoyuan)		Nanshijiao
(Zhonghe, New Taipei)		2125.1Zhonghe
Luzhou
Xinzhuang (u/c)
Luzhou
(Luzhou, New Taipei)		 66.4
Bannan Line
Line 5
[Note 5][14]		 Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center
(Nangang, Taipei)		Yongning
(Tucheng, New Taipei)		2226.5Nangang
Tucheng

Train operating routes[15]

Fares and tickets

Single-journey RFID IC Token

RFID IC Tokens and EasyCard smart cards are used to collect fares for day-to-day use, with the exception of group tickets and bicycle access tickets (which use paper tickets).[16] The Kaohsiung MRT Card and Taiwan Smart Card will begin to be accepted by the end of 2011 with the installation of multiple card readers.[17]

Fares range from NT$20 to NT$65 with most locations accessible for around NT$20–30. Beginning April 1, 2011, senior citizens and physically challenged individuals will be entitled to a 50% discount on fares.[18] The fare for the first 5 km on a one-way ticket is NT$20, and each additional 3 km costs an extra NT$5, up to NT$65.[19] A 20% discount is taken with use of an EasyCard. The table below shows fare amounts versus distance.

Distance
(km)		 ≤5 5~8 8~11 11~14 14~17 17~20 20~23 23~27 27~31 ≥31
Fare
(NT$)		 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Fare using EasyCard 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52

Types of tickets

Faregates at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Station

History

Evolution of the Taipei Metro, 1987-2015 (including lines under planning)

The Taipei Metro is one of the most expensive rapid transit systems ever constructed,[21] with Phase One of the system costing US$18 billion[22] and Phase Two (currently under construction) estimated to cost US$13.8 billion upon completion.

The initial network plan approved by the Executive Yuan in 1986.

Initial proposal

The idea of constructing the Taipei Metro was first put forth at a press conference on June 28, 1968, where the Minister of Transportation and Communications Sun Yun-suan announced his ministry's plans to begin researching the possibility of constructing a rapid transit network in the Taipei metropolitan area; however, the plan was shelved due to fiscal concerns and the belief that such a system was not urgently needed at the time. With the increase of traffic congestion accompanying economic growth in the 1970s, the need for a rapid transit system became more pressing.[23] In February 1977, the Institute of Transportation (IOT) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) released a preliminary rapid transport system report, with the designs of five lines, including U1, U2, U3, S1, and S2, to form a rough sketch of the planned corridors, resulting in the first rapid transit system plan for Taipei.[24]

In 1981, the IOT invited British Mass Transit Consultants (BMTC) and China Engineering Consultants, Inc. to form a team and provide in-depth research on the preliminary report.[24] In 1982, the Taipei City Government commissioned National Chiao Tung University to do a research and feasibility study on medium-capacity rapid transit systems. In January 1984, the university proposed an initial design for a medium-capacity rapid transit system in Taipei City, including plans for Line 1 and Line 2 of the medium-capacity metro system.[24] On March 1, 1985, the Executive Yuan Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) signed a treaty with the Taipei Transit Council (TTC), composed of three American consultant firms, to do overall research on a rapid transit system in metropolitan Taipei. Apart from adjustments made to the initial proposal, Line 1 of the medium-capacity metro system was also included into the network. In 1986, the initial network design of the Taipei Metro by the CEPD was passed by the Executive Yuan, although the network corridors were not yet set.[25] A budget of NT$441.7 billion (US$13.4 billion) was allocated for the project.[26]

On June 27, 1986, the Preparatory Office of Rapid Transit Systems was created,[22] which on February 23, 1987 was formally established as the Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) for the task of handling planning, design, and construction of the system.[26] Apart from preparing for the construction of the metro system, DORTS also made small changes to the metro corridor. The 6 lines proposed on the initial network were:[24] Tamsui Line and Xindian Line (Lines U1 and U2), Zhonghe Line (Line U3), Nangang Line and Banqiao Line (Line S1), and Muzha (now Wenshan) Line (Line 1 medium-capacity), totaling 79 stations and 76.8 km (47.7 mi) route length,[26] including 34.4 km (21.4 mi) of elevated rail, 9.5 km (5.9 mi) at ground level, and 44.2 km (27.5 mi) underground.[22] The Neihu Line corridor was approved later in 1990. On June 27, 1994, the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC) was formed to oversee the operation of the Taipei Metro system.

The six lines

Wende Station platform on the Neihu Line, an extension of the Wenshan Line and one of the original planned lines.

The Executive Yuan approved the initial network plan for the system on May 27, 1986.[25] Ground was broken and construction began on December 15, 1988.[25] The growing traffic problems of the time, compounded by road closures due to TRTS construction led to what became popularly known as the "Dark Age of Taipei Traffic". The TRTS was the center of political controversy during its construction and shortly after the opening of its first line in 1996 due to incidents such as computer malfunction during a thunderstorm, alleged structural problems in some elevated segments, budget overruns, and fare prices.

The system opened on March 28, 1996, with the 10.5 km (6.5 mi) elevated Muzha Line, a driverless, medium-capacity line[25] with twelve stations running from Zhongshan Junior High School to Taipei Zoo. The first high-capacity line, the Tamsui Line, began service on March 28, 1997, running from Tamsui to Zhongshan Station. On December 23, 1998, the system passed the milestone of 100 million passengers.[27]

On December 24, 1999, a section of the Banqiao/Nangang Line was opened between Longshan Temple and Taipei City Hall.[25] This section became the first east-west line running through the city, connecting the two previously completed north-south lines. On May 31, 2006, the second stage of the Banqiao/Nangang Line and the Tucheng Line began operation.[25]

On July 4, 2009, with the opening of the Neihu Line, the last of the six original lines was completed. Due to controversy on whether to construct a medium-capacity or high-capacity line, construction of the line did not begin until 2002.[28]

The Xinyi and Songshan Lines were opened in Nov. 24, 2013 and Nov. 15, 2014 respectively. The Xinyi line connects to the Tamsui Line, and the Songshan line connects to the Xindian Line.

Important events

On September 17, 2001, Typhoon Nari flooded all underground tracks as well as 16 stations, the heavy-capacity system operation control center, the administration building, and the Nangang Depot.[29] The elevated Muzha Line was not seriously affected and resumed operations the next day.[8] However, the heavy-capacity lines were not restored to full operational status until three months later. Following this incident, TRTS has devoted more resources to flood prevention in the underground system.

On July 4, 2007, the Maokong Gondola, a new aerial lift/cable-car system, was opened to the public. The system connects the Taipei Zoo, Chi Nan Temple, and Maokong. Service was suspended on October 1, 2008 due to erosion from mudslides under a support pillar following Typhoon Jangmi.[30] The gondola officially resumed service as of March 31, 2010, after relocation of the pillar and passing safety inspections.[31]

On New Year's Eve 2009 and New Year's Day 2010, the Metro system transported 2.17 million passengers in 42 consecutive hours. On April 22, 2010 after 14 years of service, the system achieved the milestone of 4 billion cumulative riders.[32] On December 29, 2010, the system passed the benchmark of 500 million annual passengers for the first time.[33] The record for single day ridership hit 2.5 million passengers during the New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2010.[34][35] Following opening of the Xinyi Line, the system reached another record of 2.75 million passengers on December 31, 2013.[36]

Knife attack

On May 21st, 2014, 28 people were stabbed in a mass stabbing by a knife-wielding college student on the Taipei Metro Blue Line.[37] The attack occurred on a train near Jiangzicui Station, resulting in 4 deaths and 24 injured.[38] It was the first fatal attack on the metro system since it began operations in 1996. The suspect is 21-year-old university student Cheng Chieh (鄭捷), who was arrested at Jiangzicui Station immediately after the incident.[39]

Line number

After the Songshan Line opened, the naming system was changed to use a numerical system that was ordered by the date the first section of the line went operational. Hence, the Wenhu Line became Line 1 since it opened first on March 28, 1996.

Impact

Inside a Taipei Metro train during rush hour

Despite earlier controversy, by the time the first phase of construction was completed in 2000, it was generally agreed that the metro project was a success and has since become an essential part of life in Taipei. The system has been effective in reducing traffic congestion in the city and has spurred the revival of satellite towns (like Tamsui) and development of new areas (like Nangang).[8][40] The system has also helped to increase average vehicle speed for routes running from New Taipei into Taipei.[41] Property prices along metro routes (both new and existing) tend to increase with the opening of more lines.[42][43]

Since the Taipei Metro joined the Nova International Railway Benchmarking Group and the Community of Metros (Nova/CoMET) in 2002, it has started collecting and analyzing data of the 33 Key Performance Indicators set by Nova/CoMET in order to compare them with those of other metro systems around the world, as a reference to improve its operation. Taipei Metro also has gained keys to success from case studies on different subjects such as safety, reliability, and incidents, and from the operational experiences of other metro systems.[44]

According to a study conducted by the Railway Technology Strategy Centre at Imperial College London,[45] and data gathered by Nova/CoMET, the Taipei Metro has ranked number 1 in the world for four consecutive years in terms of reliability, safety, and quality standards (2004–2007).[6] The most congested route sections handle over 38,000 commuters per hour during peak times.[46]

Facilities

Jiantan Station's unique dragon boat architecture on the Tamsui Line

Stations

The Taipei Metro provides an obstacle-free environment within the entire system; all stations and trains are handicap accessible. Features include:[47][48][49] handicap-capable restrooms, ramps and elevators for wheelchairs and strollers, tactile guide paths, extra-wide faregates, and trains with a designated wheelchair area.[50]

Beginning in September 2003, the English station names for Taipei Metro stations were converted to use Hanyu pinyin before the end of December, with brackets for Tongyong Pinyin names for signs shown at the station entrances and exits.[51][52] However, after the conversion, many stations were reported to have multiple conflicting English station names caused by inconsistent conversions, even for stations built after enactment of the new naming policy.[53][54] The information brochures (臺北市大眾捷運系統捷運站轉乘公車資訊手冊) printed in September 2004 still used Wade–Giles romanizations.[55]

To accommodate increasing passenger numbers, all metro stations have replaced turnstiles with speedgates since 2007, and single journey magnetic cards have been replaced by RFID tokens.[20] TRTS provides free mobile phone connections in all stations, trains, and tunnels and also provides WiFi WLAN connections at several station hotspots.[56] The world's first WiMAX-service metro trains were introduced on the Wenshan Line in 2007, allowing passengers to access the internet and watch live broadcasts.[57] Several stations are also equipped with mobile charging stations.[58]

Taipei City Hall Station's wide, island platform on the Nangang Line.

Platforms

Most stations on high-capacity lines have island platform configurations while a few have side platform configurations, and vice versa for medium-capacity lines (a few stations have island platform configurations but the majority of medium-capacity stations have side platform configurations). All high-capacity metro stations have a 150 m (490 ft) long platform to accommodate all six train cars on a typical metro train (with the exception of Xiaobitan). The width of the platform and concourse depends on the volume of transit; the largest stations include Taipei Main Station, Zhongxiao Fuxing, and Taipei City Hall. Some future transfer stations, including Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Guting, and Songjiang Nanjing, also have wide platforms.

Each station is equipped with LED displays and LCD TVs both in the concourse and on the platforms which display the time of arrival of the next train. At all underground stations, red lights along the platform edge (or on automatic platform gates at stations where they are installed) flash one minute prior to train arrival to alert passengers.

All the stations on the Brown Line and Xinzhuang/Luzhou Lines, as well as at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, are equipped with platform screen doors. High-traffic stations, including Taipei Main Station, Zhongxiao Fuxing, and Taipei City Hall,[59][60] have platform gates to prevent passengers and other objects from falling onto the rails.[6] For safety reasons, fifteen additional stations will be equipped with these gates in the future (including Ximen, Guting, and Banqiao).[61][62] All lines and extensions currently under construction will be equipped with platform screen doors. A Track Intrusion Detection System has also been installed to improve passenger safety at stations without platform doors.[6] The system uses infrared and radio detectors to monitor unusual movement in the track area.[63]

The East Metro Mall is an underground mall which connects between Zhongxiao Fuxing and Zhongxiao Dunhua.

Shopping centers

In addition to the rapid transit system itself, the TRTC operates several public facilities such as underground shopping malls, parks, and public squares in and around stations,[64] including:

As of 2008 there are 102 shops within the stations themselves.[6]

Public artwork by Jimmy Liao on the Nangang Station platform.

Public art

In the initial network, important stations such as transfer stations, terminal stations, and stations with heavy passenger flow were chosen for the installation of public art. The principles behind the locations of public art were visual focus and non-interference with passenger circulation and construction schedules. The artworks included murals, children's mosaic collages, sculptures, hung forms, spatial art, interactive art, and window displays. The selection methods included open competitions, invitational competitions, direct assignments, and cooperation with children.

Stations with public art displays include: Shuanglian, National Taiwan University Hospital, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Guting, Gongguan, Xindian, Xiaobitan, Dingxi, Nanshijiao, Taipei City Hall, Kunyang, Nangang, Haishan, and Tucheng. Stations with art galleries include Zhongshan, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Zhongxiao Fuxing, and Taipei Main Station.

The promotion for artwork continues today - the Department of Rapid Transit held a bid on providing public large scale artwork for the interiors of the forthcoming Sanchong Station. The bid is placed at over NTD 9 million.[66]

Transit

Transfers to city bus stations are available at all metro stations. In 2009, transfer volume between the metro and bus systems reached 444,100 transfers per day (counting only EasyCard users).[67] Connections to Taiwan Railway Administration trains are available at Taipei Main Station, Banqiao, and Nangang. Connections to Taiwan High Speed Rail are served by Taipei Main Station and Banqiao (with future service to Nangang under construction). Connections to Taipei Bus Station and Taipei City Hall Bus Station are available at Taipei Main Station and Taipei City Hall Station, respectively. The Maokong Gondola is accessible from Taipei Zoo.

Taipei Songshan Airport is served by the Songshan Airport Station.[68] A metro system to connect Taipei to Taoyuan International Airport is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by December 2015. Lines currently under construction will connect the system to additional TRA and THSR transfer stations.

Rolling stock

Rolling stocks on the Taipei Metro are multiple unit rolling stocks, using a third rail to provide electricity (750 volts DC) for propulsion. Each train is equipped with automatic train operation (ATO) for a partial or complete automatic train piloting and driverless functions.

Medium-capacity trains

Medium capacity VAL 256s on the Wenshan Line.
Bombardier Innovia 256 as seen on the Neihu Line.

The medium-capacity trains are 6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm) gauge rubber-tired trains with no onboard train operators but are operated remotely by the medium-capacity system operation control center. The Wenshan-Neihu Line uses a fixed-block Automatic Train Control (ATC) system. Each train consists of two 2-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) sets, with a total of 4 cars.[1] Each car is separate and not interconnected; passengers cannot walk between cars except when the train stops at a station.

The Wenshan Line was initially operated with VAL 256 trains cars, where two VAL 256 cars in the same set would share the same road number. As a result of this numbering scheme, the 102 cars of the VAL fleet have car numbers from 1 to 51. On June 2003, Bombardier was awarded a contract to supply the Neihu Line with 202 Innovia 256 train cars , installing the communications-based CITYFLO 650 moving-block ATC system to replace the fixed-block ATC and retrofitting the existing 102 VAL 256 cars with the CITYFLO 650 ATC system. Integration of Bombardier's trains with the existing Brown Line proved to be difficult in the beginning, with multiple system malfunctions and failures during the first three months of operation.[69] Retrofitting older trains also took longer than expected, as the trains must also undergo several hours of reliability testing during non-service hours. The VAL 256 trains resumed operations in December 2010.

The AnsaldoBreda Driverless Metro will be used on the yellow line, which will be scheduled to be placed into service on December 2015 with the opening of the first section of the yellow line.

Heavy-capacity trains

A C301 High Capacity Train
A C371 High Capacity Train (1st batch)
A C341 High Capacity Train
A C371 High Capacity Train (2nd batch)
A C381 High Capacity Train

The heavy-capacity trains have steel wheels and are operated by an on-board train operator. The trains are computer-controlled. The operator, who is both motorman and conductor, is responsible for opening and closing the doors and making announcements. ATC controls all train movements—braking, acceleration and speed control—but can be manually overridden by the operator in the case of an emergency.

Each train consists of two 3-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) sets with a total of 6 cars.[1] Each 3-car EMU set is permanently coupled as DM-T-M, where DM is the motor car with cab, T is a trailer car and M is the motor car without cab. Each motor car has two AC traction motors. The configuration of a 6-car train is DM-T-M-M-T-DM. All cars are interconnected by passage links to allow passengers to pass freely between cars.

In Set XXX, the road number of a DM car is 1XXX, the road number of a T car is 2XXX and the road number of an M car is 3XXX. The table below shows the set numbers of the heavy-capacity car types, which include Types C301, C321, C341 and C371. For example, if the car numbers of a C301 train is 1001-2001-3001-3002-2002-1002, two C301 sets 001 and 002 form this train.

A single set cannot be in revenue service except C371 single sets 397-399, where their M car is exactly a DM car despite its car number being 3XXX. These single sets run exclusively on Xinbeitou Branch Line and Xiaobitan Branch Line.[70] Before the C371 single sets were in revenue service on July 22, 2006, the M cars of C301 sets 013-014 were converted to temporary cab cars to run the Xinbeitou Branch Line.

In 2010, the new C381 was built for Taipei Metro to cope with increasing passenger ridership and the expansion of its network route. Since October 7, 2012, three C381 trainsets are servicing the Beitou - Taipower Building segment of the Tamsui and Xindian Lines, with the remaining fleet being put into service on October 20, 2012. These trains will provide much-needed capacity increase when the future Xinyi and Songshan Lines open in late-2013. The C381 sets are more distinctive than earlier heavy capacity models with double blue stripes and the re-positioning of the logo from the driver's door to well below of passenger's windows, right on the stripe; as well as the more "sleeker" cab and the new advertising screens (as seen in newer Japanese commuter trains) to improve efficiency, although it retains the same motors as the C371s.

Fleet roster

Car
Type 		Year
Built 		Builder Car
Length/
Width/
Height 		Seating
capacity
per car 		Total
capacity
Per car 		Max.
speed 		Fleet
total 		Car
set
numbers 		Lines
currently
on 		Notes
VAL256 / 350 1990~1993 Matra and GEC Alsthom 13.78 m/
2.56 m/
3.53 m		 24 114 80
km/h		 102 01~51 2-car set
Innovia 256 / 370 2006~2007 Bombardier 13.78 m/
2.54 m/
3.53 m		 20 142 80
km/h		 202 101~201 2-car set
301 1992~1994 URC
(Subsidiary
of Kawasaki)		 23.5 m/
3.2 m/
3.6 m		 60 368 90
km/h		 132 001/002~043/044 3-car set
(DM-T-M)[Note 6]
321 1998~1999 Siemens AG 23.5 m/
3.2 m/
3.6 m		 60 368 90
km/h		 216 101/102~171/172 3-car set
(DM-T-M)[Note 7]
341 2003 Siemens AG 23.5 m/
3.2 m/
3.6 m		 60 368 90
km/h		 36 201/202~211/212 3-car set
(DM-T-M)[Note 8]
371 2005~2009 Kawasaki and TRSC 23.5 m/
3.2 m/
3.6 m		 60 368 90
km/h		 321 301/302~337/338 (1st batch)
401/402~465/466 (2nd batch)
397~399 (for branch lines only)

3-car set
(DM-T-M)[Note 9]
381 2010~2013 Kawasaki and TRSC 23.5 m/
3.2 m/
3.6 m		 60 368 90
km/h		 138 501/502~547/548
[Note 10]		 3-car set
(DM-T-M)[Note 11]

Depots

The system currently has 8 depots, with more under construction.[71]

Depot Name Year Opened Location Rolling Stock Housed Line(s) Served
Muzha 1996 Wenshan, northeast of Taipei Zoo Station VAL256
Beitou 1997 Beitou, southwest of Fuxinggang Station Kawasaki C301, C381
Zhonghe 1998 Zhonghe, east of Nanshijiao Station Kawasaki C371
Xindian 1999 Xindian, northwest of Xiaobitan Station Kawasaki C371, C381
Nangang 2000 Nangang, southeast of Kunyang Station Siemens C321, C341
Tucheng 2006 Tucheng, southwest of Far Eastern Hospital Station Siemens C321, C341
Neihu 2009 Nangang, northeast of Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Station Innovia 256
Luzhou 2010 Luzhou, northeast of Luzhou Station Kawasaki C371

Future expansion

Taipei Rail Map showing current lines, lines under construction, and planned lines. Other rail systems are also shown.

Lines approved and under construction

The following lines and segments are currently under construction:[14][72][73][74]

LinePlanned opening dateTerminiStationsLength (km)Depot
Tucheng Line June 2015 Yongning Dingpu 1 2.0 Tucheng
Taoyuan Airport MRT
(Not a part of Taipei Metro) 		Early 2016 Taipei Main Station Sanchong 0 4[75] Luzhu
Sanchong Huanbei 22 51.03 Luzhu
Yellow Line Circular Line Stage 1 June 2018 New Taipei Industrial Park Dapinglin 14 15.4 South
Xinyi Eastern
Extension 		December 2020 Xiangshan Zhongpo 2 1.6 Beitou
Wanda Line Wanda Line Stage 1 December 2020 CKS Memorial Hall Zhonghe Senior
High School 		9 8.8

Taoyuan Airport MRT

The Taoyuan International Airport MRT is a rapid transit line planned to connect Taipei and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, before linking up with the Taoyuan MRT to THSR Taoyuan Station and onwards to Zhongli District. Construction began in 2006 and the system was scheduled to begin service in June 2013,[76] but delays have occurred and is now expected to open in 2015.[77] The route will be 51.03 km (31.71 mi)-long with 7 underground stations, 15 elevated stations, and two maintenance depots (Chingpu and Lujhu). Elevated track makes up 40.11 km (24.92 mi) of the total route length.[78] The total budget for the project is NT$93.6 billion.[79] As of December 2010, the project is 66.21% complete.[80] Upon completion, the line is expected to serve over 143,000 passengers per day.[81] The entire system is expected to cost NT$113.85 billion.[76]

Xinzhuang Line extension

Main article: Xinzhuang Line

The Xinzhuang Line is fully open for commercial service. However, the Xinzhuang Depot is still under construction and not expected to be finished until January 2018.[82]

Tucheng Line extension

Main article: Tucheng Line

A 2 km (1.2 mi)-extension of the Tucheng Line to Dingpu is under construction and commercial service is expected to begin in 2014.[83] Upon completion, it will become the western terminus of the Blue Line.

Circular Line

Main article: Circular Line

The Circular Line is an elevated, medium-capacity line currently under construction in New Taipei. The first section is scheduled to open in mid 2016. Stage I construction consists of the section from New Taipei Industrial Park to Dapinglin on the Xindian Line and will be about 15.4 km (9.6 mi) long with 14 stations.[84] Ansaldo STS will supply electromechanical equipment for the line, including driverless technology and CBTC Radio signalling.[85]

Planned lines

The following lines are currently in the planning stages:[86]

Line Termini Stations Length (km) Depot
Wanda-Zhonghe-Shulin Line Zhonghe Senior
High School 		Huilong 13 13.3
Minsheng-Xizhi Line Dadaocheng Xizhi 15 17.52 Xizhi
Yellow Line Circular Line North Section Jiannan Road Business Exhibition Center 11 14.3 East
Circular Line South Section Dapinglin Taipei Zoo 6 5.6
Ankeng Line Shisizhang Erbazi Botanical Garden 10 7.8 Erbazi
Sanying LRT Dingpu Pade 14 18.6
Shezi, Shilin, and Beitou Light Rail Lines Shezi Tianmu 11 8.8
Beitou Daqiaotou 10 9.1
North-South Line Jiannan Road Xiulang Bridge 16 17.1
Shenkeng LRT Taipei Zoo Shiding Service Area 6 7.8

Minsheng-Xizhi Line

As of February 2011, New Taipei has been pursuing the construction of the 17.52-km Minsheng-Xizhi Line, though the most recent plan was rejected by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, citing the need for further evidence for the line's viability.[87] The city plans to re-submit the proposal, and the project is estimated to cost NT$42.2 billion (US$1.44 billion).[87] A possible 4.25-km extension of the line to connect with Keelung's Lightrail Transit System is also being considered.[88]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taipei Metro.

Notes

  1. ↑ Although the Taipei Metro has 11 "lines" with their own names, there are actually 5 main "routes" (i.e. "services"), not including branches - Xiaonanmen, Xiaobitan and Beitou - that belong to the MRT system. See also the difference between "lines" and "routes".
  2. ↑ Neihu and Wenshan Line are collectively called Wenshan-Neihu Line or Wenhu Line since October 8, 2009. Wenshan Line was previously known as Muzha Line.
  3. ↑ Tamsui was previously known as Danshui.
  4. ↑ Xinzhuang and Luzhou Line are collectively called Xinlu Line since January 5, 2012.
  5. ↑ Banqiao and Nangang Line are collectively called Bannan Line and become official name since 2009.
  6. ↑ 2 301 sets per train in revenue service, not mixable with other car types.
  7. ↑ 2 C321 sets per train in revenue service, not mixable with other car types.
  8. ↑ 2 C341 sets per train in revenue service, not mixable with other car types.
  9. ↑ 2 371 sets per train in revenue service except Sets 397-399, which run as single sets. Not mixable with other car types
  10. ↑ (Testing completed but not in service)
  11. ↑ 2 381 sets per train in revenue service, not mixable with other car types.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Network and Systems". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. February 11, 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Ridership Counts". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. March 11, 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  3. ↑ Tamsui-Xinyi Line headway info
  4. ↑ "捷運百科—軌道工程（台北市捷運工程局）". Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  5. ↑ 內湖線則採用膠輪/鋼軌系統，中心線間距為1,880mm。此外，木柵線因採膠輪/水泥軌道系統，一般來說並無軌距之分，但其凸出於路面的兩條行車水泥軌枕，中心線間距為1,880mm。
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 "Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation '08 Annual Report" (PDF). Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  7. ↑ "Taipei Subway Ranks as one of the Best". Wired. October 15, 2007. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Traffic nightmares plague Taipei". The China Post. September 20, 2001. Retrieved 2010-06-30.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Metro Service: Danshui-Xindian Line". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. October 16, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  10. ↑ Mo Yan-chih (December 29, 2010). "New Year's Eve revelers urged to use mass transit". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  11. ↑ "One train per 90 seconds on Neihu Line during peak hour: mayor". Taiwan News Online. July 5, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
  12. ↑ "Regulations for Use of the Taipei Metro System". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. October 14, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  13. ↑ "FAQ: Systems and Operation". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. July 7, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Second Stage of Taipei MRT (Approved MRT Routes)". Department of Rapid Transit Systems, TCG. March 12, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  15. ↑
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 "Metro Tickets". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. December 18, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  17. ↑ "Taipei MRT to accept Kaohsiung and Taiwan cards by year’s end: ministry". Taipei Times. September 10, 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  18. ↑ "MRT to expand disabled, senior discount program". The China Post. March 6, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
  19. ↑ "v新增1.1公里 部分票價有變". 自由時報 [Liberty Times] (in Chinese). February 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Taipei MRT to introduce new IC ticketing system". Taipei Times. April 28, 2007. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  21. ↑ Mody, Ashoka (1997). Infrastructure strategies in East Asia: the untold story. World Bank Publications. p. 16. ISBN 0-8213-4027-1. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Berlin Wu (May 10, 1996). "Geotechnical Design and Construction Automation in Taiwan" (PDF). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. p. 33. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  23. ↑ 劉寶傑, 呂紹煒 (1994). 捷運白皮書：4444億的教訓－台北捷運 (in Chinese). 時報文化出版企業有限公司. ISBN 957-13-1432-3.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 許昭琮, 張美華, 勞定華, 張束珍 (2000). 台北都會區捷運路網規劃理念 (in Chinese) (22). 捷運技術. pp. 47–70.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 "Chronicles". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. October 11, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Her, Kelly (July 1, 2001). "Sustainable Subways". Taiwan Review (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  27. ↑ H. Ju; Z. C. Moh; R. N. Hwang (December 23, 1998). "Soft Ground Tunneling for Taipei Rapid Transit Systems" (PDF). MAA Group. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  28. ↑ "台北捷運內湖線大直段二十三日動工（大紀元時報）". May 20, 2002. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  29. ↑ "Taipei MRT shut down for a second day". Taipei Times. September 18, 2001.
  30. ↑ "FEATURE: Halted gondola confirms worries". Taipei Times. October 14, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
  31. ↑ "Maokong Gondola reopens, featuring glass-bottomed car". The China Post. March 31, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  32. ↑ 誕生與成長 (in Chinese). Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. October 11, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
  33. ↑ "Record breaking year for Taipei's MRT network". The China Post. December 30, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  34. ↑ 跨年 北捷疏運250萬人次. CNA News (in Chinese). January 1, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
  35. ↑ "Taipei Metro Successfully Meets the Challenge of New Year's Eve Transport Service". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. January 1, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
  36. ↑ "MRT ridership smashes record". Taipei Times. January 2, 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  37. ↑ "Four killed, 21 wounded in Taipei subway knife attack". Taipei News.net. May 21, 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  38. ↑ Huang, Sunrise; Wang, Hung-kuo; Holzer, Wesley (May 21, 2014). "3 critically injured in stabbing on Taipei metro (update)". Focus Taiwan. Central News Agency (Republic of China). Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  39. ↑ "Four killed, 21 wounded in Taipei subway knife attack". The Straits Times. Agence France-Presse. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  40. ↑ "Public transportation meeting opens in Taipei". Taiwan News Online. March 11, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  41. ↑ 張家嘯 (November 26, 2010). 蘆洲線試乘破305萬　橘色路線圖沒標錯. CardU 焦點新聞 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2010-11-28.
  42. ↑ "Luzhou Line property value rises through the roof". The China Post. September 3, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
  43. ↑ "Apartments near MRT stations see prices soar". The China Post. February 18, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  44. ↑ "Taipei Metro Rating". Taipei Rapid Transit System. November 22, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  45. ↑ "Railway And transport strategy centre (rtsc)". Imperial College London.
  46. ↑ "MRT ignores safety: councilors". Taipei Times. February 20, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  47. ↑ "Facilities Inside the Station". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. October 21, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  48. ↑ "Facilities Outside the Station". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. August 21, 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  49. ↑ "Trial Facilities". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. December 30, 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  50. ↑ "Facilities for the Disabled". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. December 30, 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  51. ↑ 台北捷運車站英譯 年底全面改為漢語拼音式
  52. ↑ 台北地铁标识英译名年底前全部改为汉语拼音
  53. ↑ 台鐵英譯亂象 年底清查正名
  54. ↑ 台鐵站名英譯混亂 交通部：半年內改善
  55. ↑ 捷運站名英譯拼音方式係採漢語拼音
  56. ↑ 無線服務 (in Chinese). 臺北捷運公司. July 14, 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  57. ↑ "World's first WiMAX-service MRT trains available in Taipei". Taiwan News. June 3, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  58. ↑ "MRT offers mobile charging at six stations". Taipei Times. March 3, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  59. ↑ http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2009/new/feb/12/today-taipei9-3.htm 防跳軌 捷運3站將設月台門- 自由電子報
  60. ↑ http://61.222.185.194/?FID=6&CID=47840 台灣新生報 | 防跳軌 北捷增3站設月台門
  61. ↑ 防跳軌 捷運月台門將續加裝15站. UDN (in Chinese). October 21, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  62. ↑ "Safeguards for Passengers Waiting on Platforms --- Platform Screen Doors and Track Intrusion Detection System". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. December 2, 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-21.
  63. ↑ "MRT station suicide attempt fails". The China Post. January 22, 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  64. ↑ "FAQ: Affiliated Business". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. July 7, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  65. ↑ "East Metro Mall". TaipeiTravel.net. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  66. ↑ "Department of Rapid Transit" (PDF). DORTS. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-04-09. Retrieved 2007-11-13.
  67. ↑ "2010 Annual Report" (PDF). Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  68. ↑ "Route Map". Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. November 13, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
  69. ↑ "The Wenhu Line closed down for 4 hours". Taiwan News Online. August 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  70. ↑ "新店線小碧潭支線 第一列電聯車公開展示". Department of Rapid Transit Systems. February 1, 2006. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  71. ↑ "Taipei Metropolitan Area MRT Route Map". Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  72. ↑ "臺北捷運 Taipei MRT" (PDF) (in Chinese). September 2010. p. 14. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  73. ↑ 捷運白皮書 (in Chinese). Department of Rapid Transit Systems. December 23, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  74. ↑ 新莊線施工現況 (in Chinese). Department of Rapid Transit Systems. June 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  75. ↑ "Taipei Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System" (PDF). Department of Rapid Transit Systems, TCG. September 1, 2008. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 "Talk of the day -- Airport MRT line and expansion project in focus". Focus Taiwan News Channel. July 25, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  77. ↑ Shan, Shelley (April 2, 2013). "October launch for Airport Rail will not be met: Yeh". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  78. ↑ 《交通》機場捷運大園至中壢路段高架橋全部合龍. 中時電子報 (in Chinese). March 7, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
  79. ↑ "The Project of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System". Bureau of High Speed Rail, MOTC. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
  80. ↑ "Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System Construction Project". Department of High Speed Rail, MOTC. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  81. ↑ "變更中壢平鎮都市擴大修訂計畫（配合臺灣桃園國際機場聯外捷運系統延伸至中壢火車站建設計畫）書" (PDF). Taoyuan County Government. p. 35.
  82. ↑ "Network: Second Stage". Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government. July 3, 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  83. ↑ "Second Stage of Taipei MRT (Approved MRT Line)". Department of Rapid Transit Systems. July 1, 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  84. ↑ "Second Stage of Taipei MRT (Approved MRT Line)". Comprehensive Planning Division. April 8, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  85. ↑ "Taipei Circular Line kicks off". Railway Gazette. March 17, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  86. ↑ "Third Stage of Taipei MRT (Planned MRT Routes)". Department of Rapid Transit Systems, TCG. March 12, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  87. ↑ 87.0 87.1 "New Taipei City to re-examine proposed MRT". Taipei Times. February 22, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  88. ↑ "Keelung Mayor Visits City Hall, Seeks Backing for MRT Line Extension". Taipei City Government. January 5, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-21.

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