Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit

Infobox Public transit
name = Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit


imagesize = 100px
locale = Kaohsiung City & Kaohsiung County, Taiwan
transit_type = Rapid transit
began_operation = March 9, 2008 (Red Line) & September 14, 2008 (Orange Line)
system_length = 40.4 km
lines = 2
stations = 36
ridership = 108,957 passengers/day (July 2008)
track_gauge = RailGauge|sg (standard gauge)
operator = Kaohsiung Rapid Transit CorporationChinese
title=Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System
t=高雄都會區大眾捷運系統
p=Gāoxióng Dūhuìqū Dàzhòng Jiéyùn Xìtǒng
tp=Gaosyóng Duhueìcyu Dàjhòng Jiéyùn Sìtǒng
w=Kao¹-hsiung² Tu¹-hui⁴-ch'ü¹ Ta⁴-chung⁴ Chieh²-yün⁴ Hsi⁴-t'ung³
poj=Ko-hiông To·-hōe-khu Toā-chiòng Chia̍t-ūn Hē-thóng
altname=KMRT
t2=高雄捷運
p2=Gāoxióng Jiéyùn
tp2=Gaosyóng Jiéyùn
w2=Kao¹-hsiung² Chieh²-yün⁴
poj2=Ko-hiông Chia̍t-ūnThe Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System (KMRT; zh-t|高雄大眾捷運系統) is a rapid transit in the metropolitan area of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The construction of KMRT started in October 2001, the Red Line and the Orange Line opened on March 9 and September 14 2008 respectively. [cite news|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/12/08/2003391663|title=Kaohsiung firm apologizes for delay in opening MRT|publisher=Taipei Times|author=Staff writer|date=2007-12-08|accessdate=2008-03-08] [cite news|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/03/08/2003404549|title=Kaohsiung MRT art illuminated|publisher=Taipei Times|author=Wang, Flora|date=2008-03-08|accessdate=2008-03-08] [cite news|url=http://info.gio.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=36181&ctNode=919|title=張揆主持高捷紅線首航通車典禮 (in Chinese)|publisher=Government Information Office 新聞局|date=2008-03-09|accessdate=2008-03-10] KMRT is currently operated by Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC; zh-t|高雄捷運公司) under the BOT contract the company signed with the Kaohsiung City government.

History

The Kaohsiung City Government undertook a feasibility study to construct a rapid transit system in Kaohsiung in 1987. After finding favorable results, the city government began lobbying the Central Government for approval and funding. In 1990 approval was obtained to establish the "Kaohsiung City Mass Rapid Transit Bureau" and planning of the rapid transit network started. The first phase of the "Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System", the Red and Orange Lines, was approved in 1991, but disputes in funding shares between Kaohsiung City and Kaohsiung County Governments stalled the project. The "Kaohsiung City Mass Rapid Transit Bureau" was officially established in 1994, to coincide with the project's move into the final scoping and detail design stages [http://www.kcg.gov.tw/~mtbu/html/promote/history.php KMRT History - Kaohsiung City Mass Rapid Transit Bureau official site (Traditional Chinese)] ] .

Work continued until 1996, when the Central Government ordered KMRT to look into constructing the project via the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) method. In 1999 the city government put out a request for the BOT contract to construct the first phase of the KMRT system. In 2000, out of three consortia that submitted the bid, "Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation" ("KRTC"), was determined to be the top bidder and received the priority negotiating rights with the city government in constructing the system. KRTC obtained a company licence and was registered in December 2000. In January 2001, KRTC signed the "Construction and Operation Agreement" and "Development Agreement" with the Kaohsiung City Government, signaling the beginning of construction of the KMRT system. The main participants of the KRTC are: China Steel Corporation, Southeast Cement Corporation, RSEA Engineering Corporation, China Development Industrial Bank, and the Industrial Bank of Taiwan.

candals and major construction accidents

In August 2004, a section of subway tunnel near Sizihwan station at the west end of the Orange Line collapsed during construction due to loose sandy underground and water break-ins. Four low-rise buildings near the collapsed tunnel had to be evacuated and, later on, torn down due to major structure damages [cite news | pages=2 | title=Construction halts on Kaohsiung Orange Line | date=August 14, 2004 | publisher=The Taipei Times | url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/08/14/2003198685] .

A scandal involving alleged inhumane treatment of Thai migrant workers erupted in 2005. Investigation revealed kickbacks to politicians by the contractor. The scandal had tainted the public confidence in the construction of the system and prompted a diplomatic response by the Thai Prime Minister asking the migrant workers to return to Thailand. Chen Chu, the Chairperson of the Council of Labor Affairs of the Executive Yuan, resigned as a result of the scandal [cite news | title=Probe into Kaohsiung MRT project urged | date=October 5, 2004 | publisher=Taiwan News | url=http://english.www.gov.tw/TaiwanHeadlines/index.jsp?recordid=86568 ] .

In December 2005, another subway tunnel section of the Orange Line at eastern Kaohsiung City collapsed during construction. The collapse of the subway tunnel also brought about the collapse of a road tunnel that was above the subway tunnel. Several nearby buildings were evacuated for several days for inspection. It was estimated that the road tunnel cannot be rebuilt and reopened for traffic for at least a few months. In January 2008 the section is still closed and traffic is diverted around the affected area.

Opening

The construction accidents delayed the opening of the MRT considerably from the originally planned December 2006 date. The Sanduo-Siaogang section of the Red Line was eventually opened to the public for free test rides during February 8-11, 2008 [ [http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/2008/02/11/142482/Kaohsiung-mayor.htm Kaohsiung mayor touts MRT system's coziness, convenience - The China Post ] ] , and the Red Line (except for 2 stations) opened for service on March 9, 2008. [cite news|url=http://www.ettoday.com/2008/03/10/329-2242867.htm|title=高市／紅線通了　高捷公司允橘線8月通車 (in Chinese)|publisher=ETtoday|author=廖國雄|date=2008-03-10|accessdate=2008-03-10]

The Orange line fully opened on 14 September 2008.

Routes

As of 14 September 2008, the Kaohsiung MRT system is made up of 2 lines with 36 stations covering a distance of 40.4km. 27 of these stations will be underground, with 8 elevated and 1 at grade level. All underground stations have full height platform screen doors. A 2.3km stretch to Gangshan South Station on the Red Line is expected to open in 2010.

=Red Line=

From the intersection of Yanhai & Hanmin Roads in the Siaogang District in the South, the Red Line travels northwards, following Jhongshan Road as it passes through Kaohsiung International Airport, Labor Park, Sanduo Shopping District, Central Park and Dagangpu Circle to Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) Kaohsiung Station. After crossing the track yard of TRA, the route then follows Boai Road arriving at Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Zuoying Station / TRA New Zuoying Station. Then the route passes through Banpingshan, extends along Zuonan Road to Nanzih Export Processing Zone, and continues into Kaohsiung County. The route finally passes along the Gaonan Highway to Ciaotou Township and the southern border area of Gangshan Township. The total length of Red Line is approximately 28.3 kilometers, with 24 stations on the route, of which 15 are underground, 8 elevated and 1 at ground level. Two depots will be built near Caoya Station and beside Gangshan South Station to serve the line. The Red Line (excluding Gangshan South Station) commenced passenger service on 9 March 2008. Gangshan South Station is expected to open for passenger service in 2010.

=Orange Line=

From the west, the Orange Line starts at Sizihwan (Linhai 2nd Road), crosses the track yard of TRA Kaohsiung Port Station and follows Dayong Road, passing through Love River. Then the route follows Jhongjheng Road as it passes through Kaohsiung City Council, Dagangpu Circle, Cultural Center, Martial Arts Stadium and the Weiwuying Park planning site before entering Kaohsiung County. The route continues along Zihyou Road , Guangyuan Road and Jhongshan East Road in Fongshan City to Daliao Township. The total length of the line is approximately 14.4 kilometers, with 14 stations on the route. All stations are underground except Daliao Station, which is at ground level. A single depot has been built beside Daliao Station to serve the line. The Orange Line commenced passenger service on 14 September 2008.

Future lines

The Kaohsiung MRT is expected to be extended further into Kaohsiung County and Pingtung County. A light rail line is also expected to be constructed in the Kaohsiung City Center. A demonstration light rail line with 2 stations was constructed at Central Park. It has since been dismantled.

Rolling stock

The rolling stock is manufactured by Siemens. Trains run in 3 car sets (though platforms are designed to be able to accommodate up to 6 car sets) and are powered by third rail. Seats are arranged parallel to the windows, unlike their Taipei Metro counterparts. LED displays are installed above every alternate door, showing the name of the current station and next station in Chinese and English. Automated announcements are made in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka and English, with the exception of Kaohsiung Arena Station as the Taiwanese translation for the name is not available.

Fares and ticketing

The fare on the KMRT system is distance based with a starting fare of NT$20, which is good for trips within 10km. The maximum fare on Red Line is NT$60, from Siaogang station to Ciaotou Station.

One way fare is ticketed with the RFID IC token. A RFID stored value card, the I Pass (一卡通, lit. "one card pass") is also offered. Discounts are offered to students and senior citizens. Outside of the KMRT system, the I Pass can also be used to pay for rides on Kaohsiung City bus.

The TaiwanMoney Card may be used for payment of fares, but is not integrated with the automatic fare gate, requiring users to pass through station agent operated gates. Similar smart cards for use in the Taichung and Taipei areas cannot be used interchangeably.

Art

Kaohsiung Arena Station, Formosa Boulevard Station and Kaohsiung International Airport Station feature artworks integrated into the design of the station by international artists.

Facilities and services

Platform screen doors supplied by ST Electronics have been installed at all underground stations. LCD television units have also been installed on these doors for the broadcast of train information and advertisements. All stations are wheelchair accessible.

ee also

*List of rapid transit systems
*Rail transport in Taiwan
*Taipei Rapid Transit System

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.krtco.com.tw/en/e-index.aspx Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation Official Website]
* [http://mtbu.kcg.gov.tw/english/index-e.php Mass Rapid Transit Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government]