Xinbeitou Branch Line (TRTS)

The Xinbeitou Branch Line is a branch line of the DanShui Line on the Taipei Rapid Transit System (TRTS), first opened for service on 28 March 1997. The line is 1.2km long and consists of two stations.

Its origins can be traced as far back as 1916, where its predecessor line of a similar route was built and operated by the Taiwan Railway Administration. It was last operated on 15 July 1988 by diesel units.

The operation of the line was problematic to TRTS. Complaints of noise pollution by residents along the line have led to severe restrictions. [http://www.trtc.com.tw/e/shownews1.asp?id=1430 Starting September 14, the Xinbeitou Branch Line Will Resume Normal Operational Mode with 3-Carriage Train] , Taipei Metro, 12 September 2007] [http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2007/new/sep/12/today-taipei2.htm 新北投支線將恢復6～零時營運] , The Liberty Times, 12 September 2007] Barely after 6 months of the line's opening, the frequency had to be reduced. On 1 November 1998, the number of cars operating on the line was reduced to three from six. Up to 2007 the operating hours was limited to between 7am and 9pm only. Trains currently still operate with a speed limit of 25km/h due to flange on its sharp curves.

TRTS completed the installation of the sound-proofing barrier along the line by 2006, and on 14 September 2007 extended its operating hours to between 6am and midnight. It was hoped that if the noise standards were deemed to be at an acceptable level that the current Orange Line trains on the Danshui Line to operate on the Xinbeitou Line instead. [http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2007/new/jul/14/today-taipei2.htm 新北投支線 八月增班正常營運] , The Liberty Times, 14 July 2007] Trains operate at a maximum headway of one per 7-8 minutes during peak hour.

It was reported that the line was operated at a loss. [http://www.xianqiao.net:8080/gb/7/7/13/n1772112.htm 捷运新北投支线　不惜赔钱服务市民] , 中广新闻, 13 July 2007] A proposal was put forth in 2005 that a maglev train operation would solve the problem of noise pollution, [http://www.chinanews.com.cn/news/2005/2005-07-21/26/601993.shtml 台北拟引进日本磁浮电车 最快2007年可亮相] , China News, 21 July 2005] but its feasibility on operating costs became a subject of ridicule.

Modified C301 (trainset 3014) originally operated on the line in a 3-car formation, making it unique on the system. From 2007 onwards, the train was replaced by a purpose-built C371 of a similar length.

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