News

Operation Mode to be Adjusted When Dongmen Station Opens in September

The section connecting Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station to Guting Station via the new Dongmen Station of the Xinzhuang line is scheduled to enter service in September this year. After the Taipei City Executive Meeting held on February 29, 2012, Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin announced that, at that time, the Zhonghe plus Xinzhuang and Luzhou lines will begin operating independently. The Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) and Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC) have taken this decision after consideration of passenger volume needs, line volume capacity, operation feasibility, and the needs of the majority of passengers. They have also listened to the opinions of experts to put in place the most feasible operation mode and maintain MRT system service quality, ensuring service efficiency and operation safety. At the same time, related announcements such as pamphlets and short animated films will be distributed through all forms of media to allow media workers and the public to understand so as to receive their support. The main point of the announcements will be aimed at answering the concerns raised by legislators from Zhonghe and Yonghe about passenger convenience.

DORTS said the overall MRT network plan reflects urban development trends. For passenger convenience, to reduce transfers, balance line volumes, and maintain operation performance, several L-shaped lines will create a grid shape in downtown areas and be connected by a circular line in the outer suburbs. The L-shaped lines will radiate out from the city center to serve the demand of the eight major transportation corridors of the Greater Taipei area through a total of 12 transfer stations that will allow the majority of passengers to reach their destination through just one transfer.

DORTS added that the section from Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station to Guting Station was originally designated as part of the independent operation of the Zhonghe plus Xinzhuang and Luzhou lines. This mode will relieve the current crowding at Taipei Main Station. Even though this will affect the MRT riding habits of passengers from the Zhonghe area, their waiting times will be significantly reduced and transfer convenience will be greatly increased. Zhonghe residents bound for stations north of Taipei Main Station can transfer on the same platform at Guting Station by crossing to the other side to take trains on the Xindian line. At the same time, additional shuttle trains will run on the Xindian line from Taipower Building Station to Beitou Station. Waiting times will be 1-3 minutes. In addition, after this mode comes into use, headway for trains on the Zhonghe line will be reduced from the current 6-8 minutes to 3-4 minutes.

Additionally, passengers bound for eastern Taipei can change to the Banqiao and Nangang lines at Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station—not only reducing travel distance by three stations they will only need to go up one flight of stairs, avoiding the crowding at Taipei Main Station and the need to go up/down three flights of stairs. Travel times should be 5-6 minutes less than traveling through Taipei Main Station. Therefore, the new mode will be beneficial for the overall travel times for Zhonghe area residents (including transfers.)

In regard to fares, because the distance traveled by Zhonghe residents bound for stations north of NTU Hospital Station will not change, therefore fares will be the same. For people traveling on the Zhonghe line and transferring at Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station to go to eastern Taipei, some will have their fares reduced by NT$5 per trip due to shorter distances.

DORTS emphasized that the top priority of MRT network is serving the rights of the majority. After the mode adjustment resulting from the connection of the Zhonghe plus Xinzhuang and Luzhou lines, although residents of Zhonghe and Yonghe areas may feel there is some inconvenience due to the need to change their riding habits, in fact, their rights will not be greatly affected. In consideration of the feelings of Zhonghe and Yonghe residents, DORTS and TRTC intend to increase service between Taipower Building Station and Beitou Station on the Xindian line and are assessing other associated measures in order to complement the existing capacity between Nanshijiao Station and Beitou Station and reduce the effects on the public to a minimum.

DORTS also said that planning for the Taipei MRT network began in the 1970s. The plan has been reviewed and assessed in depth by the MOTC's Transportation Planning Board (the predecessor of the Institute of Transportation), Taipei Transit Council (TTC) composed of three US consultant firms contracted by the Executive Yuan's Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD), British Mass Transit Consultants (BMTC), and China Engineering Consultants. Inc. After careful consideration of all possible network structures, the CEPD approved the initial Taipei MRT network program in 1986, putting the network corridors in place. Follow-up network developments were sent to the MOTC for review and approval. Furthermore, this network structure was confirmed by home interview survey performed from 2009 to 2010 of Taipei metropolitan area residents and has proved to be in line with current and future urban development trends.

• Hit: 2771
• Updated: 2012-09-05 16:48
• Reviewed: 2012-09-05 16:48


• Source: Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government