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Taipei Metro

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The Taipei Metro is a fast train system in Taiwan.

2023 Taipei MRT official map
2023 Taipei MRT official map

It serves the capital city of Taipei and New Taipei City. This network is very important for the people living there. It helps reduce traffic congestion on the roads. Many people use it to get around the busy city. Every day, over two million trips are made on the system.

Taipei MRT Train full
Taipei MRT Train full

The system works using a spoke-hub design. This means most rail lines run outward from the center of Taipei.

Taipei Metro geographical map
Taipei Metro geographical map

Some lines use rubber tires for medium-capacity service. Other lines use standard railway tracks for high-capacity service. The trains run at different times throughout the day. They arrive every 90 seconds to 15 minutes. Passengers pay for their trips using special cards or tokens.

Taipei MRT New IC Token 02
Taipei MRT New IC Token 02

People first discussed a train system in 1968. The plan was put away for a long time because of money. In 1977, a report suggested five different lines for the area. Experts from Britain and universities also helped with research. The government finally approved the plan in 1986.

TRTS Route Map 1986
TRTS Route Map 1986

Construction on the tracks began in December 1988. This period was sometimes called the "dark age of Taipei traffic" due to road closures.

The first line opened on March 28, 1996.

Matra VAL256, Taipei Metro 20210509
Matra VAL256, Taipei Metro 20210509

It was a driverless line with twelve stations. By the year 2000, the system had 62 stations across three lines. The network has grown much larger since that time. It now includes 131 stations for travelers to use.

Taipei Metro official map 2004
Taipei Metro official map 2004

In 2014, the system began using color names for its services.

Today, the metro is easy for everyone to use. It is designed to be accessible for people with disabilities. Stations have ramps, elevators, and special paths for those who cannot see well.

Platform 1&2 (Red Line), MRT Taipei Main Station 2020-11-13
Platform 1&2 (Red Line), MRT Taipei Main Station 2020-11-13

You can hear announcements in many languages like Mandarin and English. They also use Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Hakka. This helps many different visitors understand where to go. The system is a vital part of life in the city.

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🖼️ Images & Media (31)
File:TRTS Route Map 1986.png
TRTS Route Map 1986.png
File:Taipei Metro official map 2004.png
Taipei Metro official map 2004.png
File:2023 Taipei MRT official map.png
2023 Taipei MRT official map.png
File:Taipei Metro geographical map.svg
Taipei Metro geographical map.svg
File:Taipei Metro Tracks.svg
Taipei Metro Tracks.svg
File:Taipei MRT New IC Token 02.jpg
Taipei MRT New IC Token 02.jpg
File:Platform 1&2 (Red Line), MRT Taipei Main Station 2020-11-13.jpg
Platform 1&2 (Red Line), MRT Taipei Main...
File:Nanjing East Road Station 20091102a.jpg
Nanjing East Road Station 20091102a.jpg
File:Taipei MRT Jiantan Station and rolling stock 20070507.jpg
Taipei MRT Jiantan Station and rolling...
File:Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Station East Inner.jpg
Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Station...
File:台北捷運 (15705813813).jpg
台北捷運 (15705813813).jpg
File:Exit 1, Sanchong Station 20170528.jpg
Exit 1, Sanchong Station 20170528.jpg

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