Taipei Railway Station

Taipei Station
(Taipei Railway Station (TRA) / Taipei Main Station (MRT))
台北車站
Exterior of Taipei Railway Station
Location
Municipality Taipei
District(s) Zhongzheng
Address TRA: No. 49, Sec. 1, Zhongxiao W. Rd.
Metro: No. 49, Beiping W. Rd.
Info
Type Underground
History
Opened TRA: July 5, 1891
September 5, 1989 (present building)
Metro: December 25, 1997
THSR: March 2, 2007
Rail services
Line(s)      Nangang Line (BL7)
     Tamsui Line (R13)
     Western Line (100)
     Taiwan High Speed Rail (02/TPE)
     Taoyuan Airport MRT (A1)
Daily Ridership Metro: 310,898 (2011)[1]
TRA: 121,309 (2010)[2]
HSR: 73,059 (2013)[3]
Total: 514,000
Operator(s) Taiwan Railway Administration
Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation
Taiwan High Speed Rail
Taiwan Railway Administration Station
Level特等站
Zhuyin Codeㄊㄞ
Mileage
(from Keelung)		28.3 km
There is a bus stop near this station.
Taipei Railway Station
Traditional Chinese 臺北車站 or 台北車站
Simplified Chinese 台北车站
Literal meaning Taipei Station
The old Taipei Station in 1948.
Taipei Station Lobby

Taipei Station, also called Taipei Railway Station (台北火車站, by the Taiwan Railway Administration) or Taipei Main Station (by the Taipei Metro), refers to the old downtown region in Taipei, Taiwan, where different modes of public transport systems converge; the station is at the center of this region. Prior to the opening of the Taipei Metro lines at the station in 1997, the region was simply known as "Taipei Station" or "Taipei Railway Station". The station handles over half a million passengers daily on conventional rail, metro, and high-speed rail.[1][2][3]

Taipei Station and its surroundings are currently undergoing intensive renovation and redevelopment. Projects include the construction of the Taoyuan Airport MRT System (slated to begin service in 2015) and the Gate of Taipei.

Station overview

The station is located in the Zhongzheng District in downtown Taipei. The area south of the station is known as "station front" because the original railway station's main entrance faced south. Accordingly, the area just north of the station is known as "station rear." The station rear area 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 a popular meeting point for students and tourists.

History

The first rail station in Taipei was completed in Twatutia in 1891, when the railway to Keelung was opened for service.[4][5] Initially, a temporary station was built while a permanent station was constructed in 1897.[6] In 1901, the station was located to the east of its current location. It 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 as part of the Taipei Railway Underground Project.[7] When the underground system was completed on September 2, 1989, railway service was moved to the newly completed building (completed on September 5, 1989) and the old building as well as a temporary station were demolished.

The current station was further expanded with the opening of the Taipei Metro. The metro station is connected to the basement of the railway station and opened to passenger traffic in 1997 to the Danshui Line (now the Tamsui Line). Extensive underground malls now exist at the front and back of the station,[8] which emulate those found in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. The station also became a terminus for Taiwan High Speed Rail trains when the network began service in 2007.

Ongoing developments

Taipei Station and the area surrounding it have been undergoing renovation since 2005. Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki was chosen to design two skyscrapers that will surround the railroad station.[9] Maki will also oversee the renovation of Taipei Station. The height of the taller tower will be 76 stories, whereas the shorter tower will be 56 stories.[10] The two skyscrapers will be constructed on empty parcels found adjacent to Taipei Station, above the future Taoyuan Airport MRT station.

The station interior underwent renovation work from February to October 2011.[11] Basement restrooms were renovated, the basement and first floor preparations for additional Breeze Plaza retail space began, the large ticket office in the first floor lobby was removed, and additional retail space was allocated.[11] In addition, the flooring on the first floor was completely replaced, fire and evacuation regulations were improved, and solar panels will be installed on the station roof.[11]

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, including the shopping center (Breeze Taipei Station).[12] The upper levels are occupied by TRA offices.

Platform layout

TRA and THSR

1
2		 1A
1B		 ■ Taiwan High Speed Rail (Southbound) Toward Banqiao, Taoyuan, Taichung, Zuoying
3
4		 2A
2B		 ■ Taiwan High Speed Rail (Northbound) Toward Nangang (under construction)
5 N/A ■ Through services Trains do not stop here
6
7		 3A
3B		 ■ Western Line (Southbound) Toward Banqiao, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, Pingtung
■ Eastern Line (Northbound, through traffic) Toward Banqiao, Shulin
8
9		 4A
4B		 ■ Western Line (Northbound) Toward Songshan, Xizhi, Qidu, Keelung
■ Eastern Line (Southbound, through traffic and cross-line) Toward Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, Kaohsiung (through the South-Link Line)

Taipei Metro

The Metro concourse of Taipei Main Station
1 ■ Line 2
(Northbound, through traffic)		 Toward Tamsui
■ Line 2
(Northbound, through traffic)		 Toward Beitou
2 ■ Line 2 (Southbound, through traffic) Toward Xiangshan
■ Line 2 (Southbound, through traffic) Toward Daan
3 ■ Line 5 (Eastbound) Toward Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center
4 ■ Line 5 (Westbound) Toward Far Eastern Hospital
■ Line 5 (Westbound) Toward Yongning

Station layout

TRA station front
One of the underground railway platforms of the TRA
Platform of the Metro Red Line
Platform of the Metro Blue Line
THSR underground tracks
6F
｜
3F		 Taiwan Railway Administration
Offices		 Taiwan Railway Administration, Scheduling Control Center
TRA Employee Rooms
YMCA, other private companies (Rented)
TRA Auditorium
2F Retail Level Taipei Station Breeze Center, Food Court (Elevator at East Entrance 2)
Restrooms
Ground Level Lobby Entrance/Exit
TRA/THSR ticketing, automatic ticket machines, tourism counter
TRA Information Office, TRA Station Manager Office, railway police
TRA information desk, THSR police, THSR military police
TRA Entrance/Exit, Guard
TRA Luggage Office TRA Parcel Center (Separate structure)
THSR Administration Offices
B1 Concourse THSR ticketing, TRA/THSR automatic ticketing, ticket gates, waiting area
Restrooms
Parking lot, Military Transportation Service
Connects to B1 of the Taipei Metro
Underground passageway Zhongshan Metro Mall, Taipei Underground Market, restrooms
Connects to B1 of TRA/THSR
B2 Metro Lobby Information desk, faregates, restrooms (Inside fare area)
Nangang Line, Tamsui Line transfer area, escalators to platforms
Metro Offices
(Separate structure)		 Metro Control Center briefing rooms
2A TRA Control Level TRA Traffic Room, Central Station Monitoring Center
2B Platform 1A THSR toward Zuoying (Banqiao)
Island platform
Platform 1B THSR toward Zuoying (Banqiao)
Platform 2A THSR toward Zuoying (Banqiao, for the future extension to Nangang)
Island platform
Platform 2B THSR toward Zuoying (Banqiao, for the future extension to Nangang)
Fifth track TRA Western Line does not stop here
Platform 3A TRA Western Line toward Taichung, Kaohsiung (Wanhua)
Island platform
Platform 3B TRA Eastern Line toward Shulin (Wanhua)
Platform 4A TRA Western Line toward Keelung (Songshan)
Island platform
Platform 4B TRA Eastern Line toward Yilan, Hualien, Taitung (Songshan)
TRA Offices Level Staff training classroom
2C Machinery Level Machinery
B3 Concourse
(Transfer to Metro
TRA Entrance)		 TRA/THSR ticketing, automatic ticket machines, ticket gates
Escalator to B2 - TRA/THSR platforms
Metro faregates, information desk, lost and found, gallery
Restrooms (inside and outside fare zone), Automatic ticket dispensing machines
One-way faregates
Platform 3 ←      Nangang Line toward Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center (Shandao Temple)
Island platform, doors open on the left
Platform 4 →      Nangang Line toward Yongning/ Far Eastern Hospital (Ximen) →
Control Center
(Separate structure)		 High-Capacity Traffic Control Center
(Another traffic center exists)
B4 Platform 1 ←      Tamsui Line toward Tamsui/ Beitou (Zhongshan)
Island platform, doors open on the left
Platform 2 →      Tamsui Line toward Xiangshan/ Daan (NTU Hospital) →

Around the station

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taipei Station.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Passenger Volume at Taipei Rapid Transit Stations" (PDF). Taipei City Department of Transportation. 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Volume of Passenger and Freight Traffic" (PDF). Taiwan Railway Administration. 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Table 2-9 Passenger Traffic of High-Speed Rail Stations" (PDF). Ministry of Transportation and Communications. January 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-1. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ↑ "Building History of Main Routes of Taiwan Railway". Taiwan Railway Administration. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
  5. ↑ Davidson (1903), p. 249.
  6. ↑ 中華民國氣象學會 (2009). TAO: Terrestrial, atmospheric, and oceanic sciences, Volume 20, Issue 4. Meteorological Society, Geological Society and Geophysical Society of the R.O.C. p. 613. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
  7. ↑ "Taiwan Railway History". Taiwan Railway Administration. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
  8. ↑ MacDonald, Phil (2007). Taïwan. National Geographic Books. p. 59. ISBN 1-4262-0145-1.
  9. ↑ "Japanese architect wins design bid". Taipei Times. Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 2005-07-20. p. 11. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  10. ↑ "Diaphragm Wall and Foundation Piles Construction of Taipei Main Station JD Buildings". Department of Rapid Transit Systems. 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 2-10月大翻修 台北車站黑暗期來了 (in Chinese). 中國時報. 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  12. ↑ "More than just a station". Taiwan Review. 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  13. ↑ "旅運持續成長，台灣高鐵週五至週一增班" (in Chinese). THSRC. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  14. ↑ "「交九」開發案竣工　臺北轉運站啟用營運". Department of Rapid Transit Systems. 2009-09-01. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  15. ↑ "Work on airport MRT's Taipei section starts". Taipei Times. 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  16. ↑ "專題報導 Special Report: 中正國際機場聯外捷運線A1車站之規劃設計". Department of Rapid Transit Systems. 2006-07-01. Retrieved 2010-06-19.

Bibliography

External links

Preceding station   Taiwan Railway Administration   Following station
toward Keelung
Western Line
toward Kaohsiung
Preceding station   Taiwan High Speed Rail   Following station
TerminusTaiwan High Speed Rail
toward Zuoying
Preceding station   Taipei Metro   Following station
toward Tamsui
Red Line
Tamsui Line
toward 
toward Yongning
Blue Line
Nangang Line
toward Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center

Coordinates: 25°02′52″N 121°31′02″E / 25.04778°N 121.51722°E