Taipei Main Station

Infobox_Taiwan_Station
RouteType=Tra
Title=台北車站
EngTitle=Taipei Main Station
ImageName=Taipei station02.jpg
Code=TPE
Operator=
Line=

"Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System"
|Place=Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
StartDate=March 2, 2007
Style=Underground
TraLevel=特等
TraElecCode=ㄊㄞ
TraStartLocal=Keelung
TraMile=‎28.4

Taipei Main Station (台北車站) refers to the old downtown region in Taipei City, Taiwan, where different types of public transport systems converge. The Taipei Railway Station is at the center of this region. Prior to the completion of the Taipei Metro link to the railway station, the region was simply known in English as the Taipei Station or the Taipei Railway Station.

The station is located in the Zhongzheng District in Downtown Taipei. The region just south of the station is known as "station front" because the original train station's main entrance faced south. The region just north of the station is known as the "station rear." The station rear region is actually located in the Datong District. The commercial districts around the station are popular with students and commuters, and boast a large collection of bookstores, eclectic businesses targeting students, and cram schools. Because of its location at what is roughly considered the center of Taipei, the station is a popular meeting point for students and tourists.

Taipei Main Station and its surrounding is currently undergoing intensive renovation and redevelopment. Projects include the construction of the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System, which is slated for completion by the year 2012, and the iTaipei shopping mall and bus transit area.

History

The first rail station in Taipei was completed in Dadaocheng in 1891, when the railway to Keelung was opened to service. In 1901, the station was to the east of the current location. The station was rebuilt in 1940 to accommodate growing passenger traffic. To alleviate traffic congestion caused by railroad crossings in downtown Taipei, an underground railway tunnel between Huashan and Wanhua was built along with the present station building. When the underground system was completed on September 2, 1989, railway service was moved to the newly completed building and the old building as well as a temporary station were demolished.

The current station was further expanded with the completion of the Taipei Rapid Transit System. The TRTS station is connected to the basement of the railway station and opened to passenger traffic in 1998. Extensive underground malls now exist at the front and back of the station, which emulates the underground station malls found in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.

Taipei Main Station and the area surrounding it has been undergoing renovation since 2005. Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki was chosen to design two skyscrapers that would surround the railroad station. Maki will also oversee the renovation of Taipei Main Station. The height of the two towers is uncertain, but the height of the taller tower has been estimated to be between 72-86 stories, whereas the shorter tower would range from 52-64 stories. The two skyscrapers will be constructed on empty parcels found adjacent to Taipei Main Station.

ervices

The station itself is a large building which houses multiple rail services as well as serving as the headquarters of the Taiwan Railway Administration. The railway platforms are located on the B2 level, while the B1 level serves as a waiting area. Ticketing services are on the first floor while the second floor contains a food court and several stores, which named (Breeze Taipei Station). The upper levels are offices.

*Taiwan Railway Administration: Passengers can take a train to most cities in Taiwan without transferring. East-bound (clockwise) trains may go to Keelung, Yilan, Hualian, Taitung, etc. West-bound (counterclockwise) trains go to Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, etc. Using Platform 3&4 at B2, and both side may stop the trains, about 140~155 trains stops by directon a day

*Taipei Rapid Transit System: Taipei Main Station is served by both Danshui Line and Banqiao / Nangang Line directly and is a major transfer hub.

*Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System: A route to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is planned for completion in 2012

*Taiwan High Speed Rail: Scheduled HSR services began operating out of Taipei Main Station on March 2, 2007. Previously, southbound travelers had to board at the Banciao HSR Station, just west of Taipei. Using Platform 1&2 at B2 originally used by TRA, about 70 train stops a day parry departure or arrival.

Bus depots are located outside the station building itself:
*City Buses: Bus routes to destinations within Taipei City and Taipei County, both located in the Taipei Basin.

*Intercity Buses: Many bus companies provide service from Taipei to cites in the western half of Taiwan as well as Yilan. They also provide service to the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with traveling time around forty minutes.

Gallery

ee also

*Rail transport in Taiwan
*Taiwan Railway Administration
*Taipei Rapid Transit System
*Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System

External links

* [http://service.tra.gov.tw/en/CP/11434/Taipei.aspx Taipei Main Station Official Website]
* [http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/index/index.aspx Taiwan Railway Administration Official Website]