Taipei MRT (Tongyong Pinyin) Taipei MRT (Hanyu Pinyin) The Taipei Rapid Transit System (台北大眾捷運系統, also known as the MRT, Metro Taipei, or by locals simply as the 捷運) is a series of underground and elevated metro and VAL systems throughout the Taipei metropolitan area. The entire system is administered by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (台北大眾捷運公司 or TRTC).
The TRTS is one of the largest and most expensive rapid transit systems ever constructed. Since its completion, the TRTS has reduced travel time from one end of Taipei to the other from up to three or more hours to less then an hour, and has been effective in relieving some of Taipei's traffic congestion problems. The system has also proved effective as a catalyst for urban renewal, as well as increasing tourist traffic to outlying cities such as Danshui (Danshuei in Tongyong pinyin).
In addition to the rapid transit system itself, the TRTS also includes several public facilities such as underground shopping malls, parks, and public squares.
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 ticket prices. However by the time the most recent line was completed in 2000, it was generally agreed that the project was a success. The system has since become an essential part of life in Taipei serving over 980,000 passengers per day.
Interior of an MRT station (Taken by Schee) Routes
Note: The following romanizations were taken from the TRTS route page (http://english.trtc.com.tw/lines.htm)
Current Routes
MRT Muzha Line (Taken by anais) - Zhongshan Junior High School - Taipei Zoo
- Elevated VAL.
- 10.5 km, 12 stations, completed in March 1996.
- C.K.S. Memorial Hall - Danshui (Danshuei)
- Includes underground, elevated, and surface level metro.
- 22.5 km, 20 stations, completed in December 1997.
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- Beitou - Xinbeitou
- Elevated metro
- 1.1 km, 2 stations, completed in March 1997
- Guting - Nanshijiao (Nanshihjiao)
- Underground metro.
- 5.3 km, 5 stations, completed in December 1998.
MRT Banqiao (Banciao) /Nangang Line (Taken by anais) - Xindian (Sindian) - C.K.S. Memorial Hall
- Underground metro.
- 9.3 km, 10 stations, completed November 1999.
- Qizhang (Cijhang) - Xiaobitan (Siaobitan)
- 2 stations, completed on Sept. 29, 2004.
- Ximen - C.K.S. Memorial Hall
- Underground metro.
- 1.6 km, 3 station, completed in August 2000.
- Xinpu (Sinpu) - Kunyang
- Underground metro.
- 14.8 km, 14 stations, completed in December 2000.
Future Routes
- Xinpu (Sinpu) - Yongning
- Underground metro.
- Extension of Banqiao (Banciao) /Nangang Line, scheduled to open in August, 2006
- Zhongshan Junior High School - Nangang Business Park South Station
- Mainly elevated VAL.
- Extension of Muzha Line, schedule to complete in 2008.
- Guting - Huilong (Hueilong)
- Underground metro.
- Extension of Zhonghe (Jhonghe) Line, scheduled to complete in 2010.
- Daqiao Elementary School - Luzhou (Lujhou)
- Underground metro.
- A branch of Xinzhuang (Sinjhuang) Line, scheduled to open in 2009.
- C.K.S. Memorial Hall - Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)
- Underground metro.
- Extension of Danshui (Danshuei) Line
- Ximen - TRA Songshan Station
- Underground metro.
- Extension of Xindian (Sindian) Line and Xiaonanmen Branch
- Jiannan Road - Shilin - St. Ignatius High School - Wugu Industrial Park - Touqianzhuang (Toucianjhuang) - Banqiao (Banciao) - Jingan - Dapinglin - Taipei Zoo
- Includes underground, elevated, and surface level VAL.
Operations
Aboard an MRT train (Taken by Schee) Trains generally run from 6AM through 12AM daily with roughly 5 to 10 minutes between trains (higher frequency during peak hours). Through operations are made between Xindian (Sindian) Line and Danshui (Danshuei) Line. Furthemore, trains from Zhonghe (Jhonghe) Line go on to run on Danshui (Danshuei) Line before they return at Beitou station. Only one train operates along each of the branch lines, the Xinbeitou Branch, Xiaonanmen Branch, and Xiaobitan (Siaobitan) Branch. Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing betel nut is prohibited in stations or on trains.
Stations can become extremely crowded during the morning and evening rush hours, especially stations near the city center such as Taipei Main Station. Stations near tourist attractions such as the Shilin Night Market and Danshui (Danshuei) quickly fill up in the evening and weekends respectively.
Ticket prices range from NT$20 to NT$55, with most locations being accessible for around NT$20-30.
Other Information
Source (http://www.urbantransport-technology.com/projects/taipei/)
- Initial Systems & Trains: Nissho Iwai American Corporation, Kawasaki Rolling Stock, Matra.
- New Systems & Trains: Siemens, SGP, Union Carriage.
- Initial Construction (1990 - 2000): US$18 Billion
- Second Phase Construction (allocated in 2003): US$13.8 Billion
- Medium Capacity Metro Segment (Muzha Line):
- System: VAL 256 Medium capacity trains, rubber tires, automatic computer control.
- Maximum Speed: 80 km/hour
- Maximum Capacity per Train Car: 114
- High Capacity Metro Segments (All other lines):
- System: 1,435 mm track, third rail current collection system at 750V DC, human operator.
- Maximum Speed: 80 km/hour
- Maximum Capacity per Train Car: 368
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