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Taipei Metro

Logo
A 381 stock near Beitou
Overview
Native name	臺北捷運 Taipei Metro Traditional Chinese 臺北捷運 Simplified Chinese 台北捷运 Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Táiběi Jiéyùn Bopomofo ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄐ一ㄝˊ ㄩㄣˋ Wade–Giles T'ai2-pei3 Chieh2-yün4 Tongyong Pinyin Táiběi Jiéyùn Hakka Romanization Thòi-pet Chia̍p-yun Southern Min Hokkien POJ Tâi-pak Chia̍t-ūn Taipei Rapid Transit System Traditional Chinese 臺北大眾捷運系統 Simplified Chinese 台北大众捷运系统 Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Táiběi Dàzhòng Jiéyùn Xìtǒng Bopomofo ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄐ一ㄝˊ ㄩㄣˋ ㄒ一ˋ ㄊㄨㄥˇ Wade–Giles T'ai2-pei3 Ta4-chung4 Chieh2-yün4 Hsi4-t'ung3 Hakka Romanization Thòi-pet Thai-zung Chia̍p-yun He-thúng Southern Min Hokkien POJ Tâi-pak Toā-chiòng Chia̍t-ūn Hē-thóng
Owner	Taipei City Government
Area served	Taipei and New Taipei, Taiwan
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	5[1]
Number of stations	117[1]
Annual ridership	746.067 million (2017)
Chief executive	B.C. Yen
Headquarters	7 Lane 48 Sec 2 Zhongshan N Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei
Website	english.metro.taipei
Operation
Began operation	1996-03-28
Operator(s)	Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation
Character	Fully grade separated
Number of vehicles	217.5[2]
Train length	6
Headway	2016 figures:[2].mw-parser-output .treeview ul{padding:0;margin:0}.mw-parser-output .treeview li{padding:0;margin:0;list-style-type:none;list-style-image:none}.mw-parser-output .treeview li li{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Treeview-grey-line.png")no-repeat 0 -2981px;padding-left:21px;text-indent:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .treeview li li:last-child{background-position:0 -5971px}.mw-parser-output .treeview li.emptyline>ul>.mw-empty-elt:first-child+.emptyline,.mw-parser-output .treeview li.emptyline>ul>li:first-child{background-position:0 9px} Minimum 1:20 min (Wenhu line) 2:00 min (other lines) Peak average 2:10 min (Wenhu line) 4:01 min (other lines) Off-peak average 4:16 min (Wenhu line) 5:28 min (other lines)
Technical
System length	131.1 km (81.5 mi)
No. of tracks	2
Track gauge	1,880 mm (6 ft 2 in) (Wenhu line) 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge (other lines)
Minimum radius of curvature	33 metres (108 ft) (Wenhu line) 200 metres (656 ft) (other lines)
Electrification	Third rail 750 V direct current
Average speed	32.84 kilometres per hour (20 mph) (Wenhu line) 31.50 kilometres per hour (20 mph) (other lines)
Top speed	80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) (Wenhu line) 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph) (other lines)
System map

Headquarter of Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation at Rapid Transit Administration Building, Taipei.

Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT),^[3] branded as Taipei Metro,^[4] is a metro system serving Taipei and New Taipei, Taiwan, operated by government owned Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, which also operates Maokong Gondola.

Taipei Metro is the first metro system in Taiwan.^[5] The initial network was approved for construction in 1986 and works started two years later.^[6] The first line opened in 1996 and by 2000, 62 stations were in service on three main lines.^[7] Over the next 9 years the number of passengers had increased by 70%. Since 2008, the network has expanded to 117 stations and the passenger count has grown by another 66%.

The system has often been praised for its safety, reliability and quality.^[8][9][10] It has become effective in relieving traffic congestion in Taipei, with over two million trips made daily.^[11] The system has also proved effective as a catalyst for urban renewal.

History

The Taipei Metro is one of the most expensive rapid transit systems ever constructed,^[12] with phase one of the system costing US$18 billion^[13] and phase two estimated to have cost US$13.8 billion.

Proposal and construction

The initial network plan approved by the Executive Yuan in 1986

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.^[14] 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.^[15]

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.^[15] 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 Wenhu line and Tamsui–Xinyi line of the medium-capacity metro system.^[15] 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, Wenhu line 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.^[6] A budget of NT$441.7 billion was allocated for the project.^[16]

On June 27, 1986, the Preparatory Office of Rapid Transit Systems was created,^[13] 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.^[16] 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:^[15] Tamsui Line and Xindian Line (Lines U1 and U2), Zhonghe Line (Line U3), Nangang Line and Banqiao Line (Line S1), and Muzha (now Wenhu) Line (Wenhu line medium-capacity), totaling 79 stations and 76.8 km (47.7 mi) route length,^[16] 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.^[13] 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 Executive Yuan approved the initial network plan for the system on May 27, 1986.^[6] Ground was broken and construction began on December 15, 1988.^[6] 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.

Initial network

2004 official map as seen in the annual report

The system opened on March 28, 1996, with the 10.5 km (6.5 mi) elevated Wenhu line, a driverless, medium-capacity line^[6] with twelve stations running from Zhongshan Junior High School to Taipei Zoo. The first high-capacity line, the Tamsui–Xinyi line, began service on March 28, 1997, running from Tamsui to Zhongshan, then extended to Taipei main station at the end of the year. On December 23, 1998, the system passed the milestone of 100 million passengers.^[17]

On December 24, 1999, a section of the Bannan line was opened between Longshan Temple and Taipei City Hall.^[6] 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 section and the Tucheng section began operation.^[6] The service was then named Bannan after the districts that it connects (Banqiao and Nangang).

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.^[18] The gondola officially resumed service as of March 31, 2010, after relocation of the pillar and passing safety inspections.^[19]

2009–2014 expansions

On July 4, 2009, with the opening of the Neihu section of Wenhu line, the last of the six core sections 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.^[20]

Zhonghe–Xinlu line was extended from Guting to Luzhou and Huilong in 2012. The Xinyi section of Tamsui–Xinyi line and Songshan section of Songshan–Xindian line were opened on November 24, 2013 and November 15, 2014 respectively.

Prior to 2014, only physical lines had official names; services did not. In 2008, the Tamsui–Xindian–Nanshijiao and Xiaonanmen services were referred to by termini^[21][22] while Bannan and Wenhu services were referred to by the physical lines on which they operated^[23][24].

Following the completion of the core sections of the system in 2014, the naming scheme for services was set and 'lines' started to referred to services. Between 2014 and 2016, lines were given alternative number names based on the order of the dates the lines first opened. Brown, Red, Green, Orange and Blue lines were named lines 1 to 5 respectively. The planned Circular, Wanda–Shulin and Minsheng–Xizhi lines were to be lines 6 to 8 respectively. In 2016, the number names were replaced by colour names. Today, Chinese announcements use full names while English announcements use colour names.

Timeline of services

Date started	Date amended	Terminus	Route	Terminus
1996-03	2009-07	Taipei Zoo		Zhongshan Junior High School
1997-03	1997-12	Tamsui		Zhongshan
1997-03	Current	Beitou		Xinbeitou
1997-12	1998-12	Tamsui		Taipei main station
1998-12	1999-11	Tamsui		Nanshijiao
1999-11	2014-11	Tamsui		Xindian
1999-11	2013-06	Beitou		Nanshijiao
1999-12	2000–08	Taipei City Hall		Longshan Temple
2000–08	2000–12	Taipei City Hall		Xinpu
2000–08	2013-11	CKS Memorial Hall		Ximen
2000–12	2006-05	Kunyang		Xinpu
2004–09	Current	Qizhang		Xiaobitan
2006-05	2008–12	Kunyang		Yongning
2008–12	2011-02	Nangang		Yongning
				Far Eastern Hospital
2009-07	Current	Taipei Zoo		Nangang Exhib Center
2010–11	2012-01	Zhongxiao Xinsheng		Luzhou
2011-02	2015-07	Nangang Exhib Center		Yongning
				Far Eastern Hospital
2012-01	2012-09	Zhongxiao Xinsheng		Luzhou
				Fu Jen University
2012-09	2013-06	Nanshijiao		Luzhou
				Fu Jen University
2012-09	2013-11	Beitou		Taipower Building
2013-06	Current	Nanshijiao		Luzhou
				Huilong
2013-11	2014-11	Beitou		Xiangshan
2013-11	2014-11	Taipower Building		Ximen
2014-11	Current	Tamsui		Xiangshan
		Beitou		Daan
2014-11	Current	Songshan		Xindian
				Taipower Building
2015-07	Current	Nangang Exhib Center		Dingpu
				Far Eastern Hospital

Lines

The system is designed based on spoke-hub distribution paradigm, with most rail lines running radially outward from central Taipei. The MRT system operates daily from 06:00 to 00:00 the following day^[25] (the last trains finish their runs by 01:00), with extended services during special events (such as New Year festivities).^[26] Trains operate at intervals of 1:30 to 15 minutes depending on the line and time of day.^[25][27] Smoking is forbidden in the entire metro system, while eating, drinking, and chewing gum and betel nuts are forbidden within the paid area.^[28]

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, English, Hokkien, and Hakka, with Japanese at popular stations.^[29]

Icon	Full name	Announced name	Services	Stations
	Wenhu line	Brown line	Nangang Exhib Center–Taipei Zoo; typically 27 trains per hour (tph) peak, 14 tph off-peak	24
	Tamsui–Xinyi line	Red line	Tamsui–Xiangshan (full service); typically 8 tph Beitou–Daan (short turn service); typically 8 tph Beitou–Xinbeitou (Xinbeitou branch); typically 7 tph	28
	Songshan–Xindian line	Green line	Songshan–Xindian (full service); typically 12 tph Songshan–Taipower Building (short turn service); typically 3 tph Qizhang–Xiaobitan (Xiaobitan branch); typically 4 tph	20
	Zhonghe–Xinlu line	Orange line	Luzhou–Nanshijiao (Luzhou branch); typically 8 tph Huilong–Nanshijiao (Xinzhuang branch); typically 8 tph	26
	Bannan line	Blue line	Dingpu–Nangang Exhib Center (full service); typically 9 tph Far Eastern Hospital–Nangang Exhib Center (short turn service); typically 7 tph Far Eastern Hospital–Kunyang (short turn service); typically 6 trains per day during evenings	23

Fares and tickets

Single-journey RFID IC Token

Fares range between NT$20–65 per trip as of 2018. RFID single journey tokens and rechargeable IC cards are used to collect fares for day-to-day use. Discounts are given to all IC card users and further for those with welfare cards provided by local governments. Other ticket types include passes, joint tickets with other services and tickets for groups and cyclists.^[30]

Faregates at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center

Stations

Platform of Wende on the Wenhu line, one of the original planned lines

Unique dragon boat architecture of Jiantan on Tamsui–Xinyi line

The Taipei Metro provides an obstacle-free environment within the entire system; all stations and trains are handicap accessible. Features include:^[31][32][33] handicap-capable restrooms, ramps and elevators for wheelchairs and strollers, tactile guide paths, extra-wide faregates, and trains with a designated wheelchair area.^[34]

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.^[35][36] 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.^[37][38] 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.^[39]

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.^[40]
TRTS provides free mobile phone connections in all stations, trains, and tunnels and also provides WiFi WLAN connections at several station hotspots.^[41] 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.^[42] Several stations are also equipped with mobile charging stations.^[43]

Wide island platform of Taipei City Hall on Bannan 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 other 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. As of September 2018, all stations have automatic platform gates.^[44]

All the stations on the Wenhu 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,^[45][46] have platform gates to prevent passengers and other objects from falling onto the rails.^[47] For safety reasons, fifteen additional stations will be equipped with these gates in the future (including Ximen, Guting, and Banqiao).^[48][49] 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.^[47] The system uses infrared and radio detectors to monitor unusual movement in the track area.^[50]

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

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 Sanchong station. The bid is placed at over NTD 9 million.^[51]

Other facilities

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,^[52] including:

• 
  Zhongshan Metro Mall: Shuanglian station – Zhongshan station – Taipei Main station (815 m, 81 shops).^[47]
  


• Taipei Main Station Underground Mall: on floor B1 of the station.


• Taipei New World Shopping Center: Between the metro and TRA sections of Taipei Station.


• Station Front Metro Mall: West of Taipei Main Station, beneath Zhongxiao W. Road.


• 
  Taipei City Mall: Northwest of Taipei Main Station, beneath Zhengzhou Rd and Civic Blvd.


• East Metro Mall: Between Zhongxiao Fuxing station and Zhongxiao Dunhua station (825 m, 35 shops).^[47][53]
  


• Ximen Underground Mall: north of Ximen station (currently used as an office building and library).


• Longshan Temple Underground Mall: Longshan Temple station north and south sides.


• Global Mall: Banqiao station floors B1 to 2F.

As of 2008 there are 102 shops within the stations themselves.^[47]

Public artwork by Jimmy Liao at Nangang

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).^[54] Connections to Taiwan Railway Administration and Taiwan High Speed Rail trains are available at Taipei main station, Banqiao and Nangang. Connections to Taipei Bus Station and Taipei City Hall Bus Station are available at Taipei main station and Taipei City Hall stations, respectively. The Maokong Gondola is accessible from Taipei Zoo.

Taipei Songshan Airport is served by the Songshan Airport station.^[55] A metro system to connect Taipei to Taoyuan International Airport is also available since February 2017.

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

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 a closed end car where passengers cannot walk between cars unless the train stops and the doors are open.

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 [1], to install the communications-based CITYFLO 650 moving-block ATC system to replace the fixed-block ATC system and also to retrofit 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.^[56] Retrofitting older trains also took longer than expected, as the older trains must undergo several hours of reliability tests 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 in June 2018 with the opening of the first section of the yellow line.

Heavy-capacity trains

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, including 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, not interchanged with other car types. Like Toronto subway's Toronto Rocket and some of the New York City Subway's R211 subway cars, each train features open gangways, allowing passengers to move 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, C371, and C381. 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.^[57] 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. Upon entering service on 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 provided much-needed capacity increase when the Xinyi and Songshan Lines opened in late 2013. After November 2014, the C381 trains are serving both Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi Line) and Green Line (Songshan-Xindian Line)^{[needs update]}. In addition to their assigned lines, 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 such as the E233 series) to improve energy efficiency, although it retains the same propulsion as the C371s.

Fleet roster

Car Type	Photo	Year Built	Builder	Car Length/ Width/ Height	Seating capacity per car	Total capacity Per car	Max. speed	Fleet total	Car set numbers	Assigned Services	Depot Assignment	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		Muzha	4-car train with two married pairs Closed end cars
Innovia 256 / 350		2006~2007	Bombardier	13.78 m/ 2.54 m/ 3.53 m	20	142	80 km/h	202	101~201		Neihu	4-car train with two married pairs Closed end cars
301		1992~1994	Kawasaki and URC	23.5 m/ 3.2 m/ 3.6 m	60	368	90 km/h	132	001-044		Beitou	6-car train in DM-T-M+M-T-DM configuration as two 3-car sets Open gangway connection
321		1998~1999	Siemens AG	23.5 m/ 3.2 m/ 3.6 m	60	368	90 km/h	216	101–116 119-172 175-176[58]		Nangang Tucheng	6-car train in DM-T-M+M-T-DM configuration as two 3-car sets Open gangway connection
341		2003	Siemens AG	23.5 m/ 3.2 m/ 3.6 m	60	368	90 km/h	36	201–212		Nangang Tucheng	6-car train in DM-T-M+M-T-DM configuration as two 3-car sets Open gangway connection
371		2005~2009	Kawasaki and TRSC	23.5 m/ 3.2 m/ 3.6 m	60	368	90 km/h	321	301–338 (1st batch) 401–466 (2nd batch) 397~399 (for branch lines only)		Xindian Zhonghe Luzhou Beitou (single set only)	Sets 301–338 and 401–466: 6-car train in DM-T-M+M-T-DM configuration as two 3-car sets Sets 397–399: 3-car train in DM-T-DM configuration as single 3-car sets Open gangway connection
381		2010~2013	Kawasaki and TRSC	23.5 m/ 3.2 m/ 3.6 m	60	368	90 km/h	144	501–548	[Note 1]	Beitou Xindian	6-car train in DM-T-M+M-T-DM configuration as two 3-car sets Open gangway connection

Depots

The system currently has 8 depots, with more under construction,^[59] including the Xinzhuang Depot, expected to be completed in 2022.^[60]

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

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  Beitou Depot stabling tracks
  

  
  

  
  


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  Washing facilities at Beitou Depot
  

  
  

  
  


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  Inside Beitou Depot
  

  
  

  
  


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  Xindian Depot building
  

  
  

  
  


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  Xindian Depot stabling tracks
  

  
  

  
  


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  Nangang Depot access and stabling tracks
  

  
  

  
  


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  Birds-eye view of Muzha Depot
  

  
  

  
  


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  Trains stabled at Muzha Depot
  

  
  

  
  

Reception

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).^[11][62] The system has also helped to increase average vehicle speed for routes running from New Taipei into Taipei.^[63] Property prices along metro routes (both new and existing) tend to increase with the opening of more lines.^[64][65]

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 analysing 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.^[66]

According to a study conducted by the Railway Technology Strategy Center at Imperial College London,^[67] 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).^[47] The most congested route sections handle over 38,000 commuters per hour during peak times.^[68]

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.^[69] On December 29, 2010, the system passed the benchmark of 500 million annual passengers for the first time.^[70] The record for single day ridership hit 2.5 million passengers during the New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2010.^[71][72] Following opening of the Xinyi Line, the system reached another record of 2.75 million passengers on December 31, 2013.^[73]

In May 2016, the Singapore Transport Minister, Khaw Boon Wan, said that his country’s rail operators, SBS Transit and SMRT, should emulate the example of the Taipei MRT system. Speaking at a rail engineering forum, he cited the Taipei MRT’s timely maintenance and replacement of assets, as well as its fast response to rail network problems. Khaw said the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) is working with the TRTC to attach staff from SBS and SMRT to its metro workshops, so they can learn from its asset maintenance practices and engineering improvements.^[74]

Safety and security

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.^[75] The elevated Muzha Line was not seriously affected and resumed operations the next day.^[11] 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.

2014 attack

On May 21, 2014, 28 people were stabbed in a mass stabbing by a knife-wielding college student on the Taipei Metro Blue Line.^[76] The attack occurred on a train near Jiangzicui station, resulting in 4 deaths and 24 injured.^[77] It was the first fatal attack on the metro system since it began operations in 1996. The suspect was 21-year-old university student Cheng Chieh (鄭捷), who was arrested at Jiangzicui station immediately after the incident.^[78]

Future expansions

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

Taipei Metro

Several lines are planned to be added to the network.^{[79][80][81][82][83]}

Circular line

Circular line is a metro line under construction in New Taipei, with extensions being planned. The first section is scheduled to open at the end of 2018. Stage I construction consists of the section from New Taipei Industrial Park to Dapinglin on Songshan–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]

Wanda–Zhonghe–Shulin line

Wanda–Zhonghe–Shulin is a metro line under construction, with extensions being planned.

Minsheng-Xizhi line

Minsheng-Xizhi is a planned metro 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.^[86] The city plans to re-submit the proposal, and the project is estimated to cost NT$42.2 billion (US$1.44 billion).^[86] A possible 4.25-km extension of the line to connect with Keelung's Lightrail Transit System is also being considered.^[87] The line is planned to be built partially underground and partially elevated. It will begin from Dadaocheng Harbour beneath Minsheng West Road in Taipei, run along Minsheng East and West Roads, pass through Minsheng Community and journey under the Keelung River towards the Neihu District. The line will then change to an elevated mode and reach its termini at Xintai 5th Road in Xizhi District, New Taipei City. As of May 2018, the proposal for this line has been submitted to the Ministry Of Transportation and Communications, but has yet to be approved.^[88]

Shezi, Shilin and Beitou light rail

An LRT system with two routes has been recommended for the Shezi, Shilin, and Beitou areas.

New Taipei Metro

Additional lines under construction will form a separate New Taipei Metro network.

Danhai light rail

Danhai is a light rail transit (LRT) system under construction in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan, expected to open late 2018.

Ankeng light rail

Ankeng is getting a light rail line in the shape of a battery powered tram service, similar to those in Kaohsiung. Construction started around April 2016 and is well away on the road level part between station K1 and K5, with the first tracks having been laid in November 2018. As of October 2018 the project was at a 44.4% completion rate. From station K6 to K9 the tracks will be elevated. In addition, station K2 will apparently be elevated. Work on the bridge across the Xindian river has also started. As of June 2018, the entire section from station K1 to K6 is clearly visible on Google maps running down the middle of Anyi Rd and then turning right onto Anjie Rd, passing through a cemetery and going across Ankang Road. As of September 2018, work has started on the bridge across the Xindian river to Shisizhang station. The line is expected to open in December 2021 and will connect to station Y7 on the Circular line, which is still under construction, but is expected to open in 2019. The Department of Rapid Transit Systems has more details on its website in Chinese about the Ankeng light rail.

Sanying line

Sanying is a metro line under construction, serving Sanxia and Yingge districts.

See also

• Maokong Gondola


• Taoyuan International Airport MRT


• Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit


• Rail transport in Taiwan


• Lists of rapid transit systems

Notes

References

External links

Chinese Wikisource has original text related to this article: 大眾捷運法

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Taipei MRT (category)

• Taipei Future Rail Network Map


• Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation – official website


• Taipei Department of Rapid Transit Systems


• Taipei City Government – official website


• Taipei at UrbanRail.net