METRO TAIPEI
USEFUL INFORMATION
- OPERATION
MRT trains run from 6:00 until 23:00, every 5-7 minutes during rush hours and every 7-10 minutes off-peak. Line 6 (Hsiao-Nanmen shuttle) operates every 8-10 minutes, and Line 4 (Mucha Line) every 4 minutes rush hours and every 7 minutes off-peak.
- FARES (2000/2001)
Single fare is between NT$20 and NT$65, depending on the distance travelled.
Stored-valued cards for NT$500 or NT$1000 are available.
THE SYSTEM
In quite a short time, Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan with 2.7 million inhabitants, has developed a network of 4 conventional mainly underground metro lines and 1 automated elevated light rail metro to relieve the city from traffic congestion. Although previously shown as separate lines, the red, green and orange lines are now operated jointly. Green labelled trains from Tamshui run through to Hsintien, and orange labelled trains from Peitou run through to Nanshih Chiao. The section between Peitou and Hsin Peitou is now operated as a branch (Line 5) by single EMU’s from 7:00 to 21:00 because of noise problems. In the early mornings and in the evenings service is provided by a free shuttle bus. In 2000, different routes were also assigned numbers to improve orientation.
The Tamshui Line is 23 km long and has 20 stations, it is partly underground, following a former railway route (now northern branch of Line 1 and Line 2). It opened on 25 Dec. 1997 from Tamshui / Hsin Peitou to the Main Station.
The Chung Ho Line is 5.5 km, has 4 stations (all underground) and runs along Chungho and Yungho road, under the Hsintien River (now Line 2 south). It began operating on 24 Dec. 1998.
The Hsintien Line opened on 11 Nov. 1999 includes 10.5 km and 11 underground stations along Roosevelt and Peishin Roads (now Line 1 south). The Hsimen - C.K.S. Memorial Hall branch opened 31 Aug. 2000 (Line 6 now operating as a shuttle with one intermediate station, Hsiao Nanmen).
The Nankang-Panchiao-Tucheng Line (or simply Pannan Line) will be 24 km with 21 stations and runs underground along Chunghua and Chunghsiao Roads, Hoping West Rd. and Wenhua Road. It crosses the river Hsintien in a tunnel (now Line 3). The central section between Taipei City Hall and Lungshan Temple opened 24 Dec. 1999, it was extended to Hsinpu on 31 Aug. 2000 and to Kunyang in the east on 29 Dec. 2000.
The Mucha Line was actually Taipei’s first mass transit line (28 March 1996) and is an 11 km (12 stations) long, elevated, rubber tyred, fully automated VAL type line. Stations have side platforms and screen doors. An extension of Line 4 (Neihu Line - 13 km - 11 stations) is planned.
