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Taipei Metro

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The Taipei Metro is a massive rapid transit system in Taiwan.

2023 Taipei MRT official map
2023 Taipei MRT official map

It serves the capital city of Taipei and the surrounding New Taipei City. The system is operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC). It functions as a vital lifeline for the region by reducing traffic congestion. Today, the network supports over two million daily trips.

Taipei MRT Train full
Taipei MRT Train full

This high volume of passengers makes the metro essential for urban movement.

The system utilizes a spoke-hub distribution paradigm for its layout. This means most rail lines run radially outward from the center of Taipei.

Taipei Metro geographical map
Taipei Metro geographical map

There are two primary types of transit technology used in the network. One type uses rubber-tyred, medium-capacity trains. These are often driverless, such as the Wenhu line. The other type uses standard railway tracks for high-capacity service. These lines carry much larger groups of people through the city.

Taipei Metro Tracks
Taipei Metro Tracks

The trains operate from 06:00 until 01:00 the next day. Depending on the time and the specific line, trains arrive every 90 seconds to 15 minutes.

The metro's history began with a proposal in June 1968. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications first researched the possibility of a network. However, the plan was shelved due to financial concerns. In 1977, the Institute of Transportation released a report with five preliminary lines. These included designs labeled U1, U2, U3, S1, and S2. Later, experts from British Mass Transit Consultants and National Chiao Tung University provided deeper research.

TRTS Route Map 1986
TRTS Route Map 1986

By 1986, the Executive Yuan approved the initial network design. This approval included a budget of NT$441.7 billion for the project.

Construction of the system officially began on 15 December 1988. This period caused significant road closures during the building process. Many people called this the "dark age of Taipei traffic." The first line to open was the Wenhu line on 28 March 1996.

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

This was a medium-capacity, driverless line with twelve stations. The first high-capacity line, the Tamsui-Xinyi line, followed on 28 March 1997. By the year 2000, the system had reached 62 stations across three main lines.

Since then, the network has seen massive expansion. In 2008, the number of stations grew to 131. The passenger count also increased by 96% during this time. The Bannan line, which connects the Banqiao and Nangang districts, became a major east-west route.

Taipei Metro Line BL
Taipei Metro Line BL

In 2014, the system changed how it names its services. Previously, names were based on the physical lines or their termini. Now, the system uses color names for its services. These include the Brown, Red, Green, Orange, and Blue lines.

Taipei Metro official map 2004
Taipei Metro official map 2004

Traveling on the metro is designed to be accessible for everyone. The system provides an obstacle-free environment for all passengers.

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

Stations include ramps, elevators, and tactile guide paths for those with visual impairments. There are also extra-wide faregates and designated wheelchair areas on the trains. Passengers pay using RFID single-journey tokens or rechargeable IC cards.

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

To help international visitors, announcements are made in Mandarin, English, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Hakka.

The Taipei Metro is a complex system that connects people to their lives. It has grown from a small 1986 plan into a massive network of 131 stations. It manages millions of trips every single day. The system must also handle natural challenges, such as the magnitude 7 earthquake in April 2024. During that event, all trains were suspended for safety checks. However, all routes resumed operation later that same day. This shows the resilience and importance of the transit system to the people of Taiwan.

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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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