Taipei metro’s Circular Line commenced a monthlong public trial Jan. 19, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
The 15.4-kilometer, 14-stop line connects New Taipei Industrial Park and Dapinglin stations. It winds through the densely populated districts of Banqiao, Xindian, Xinzhuang and Zhonghe in New Taipei City.
Lee Cheng-an, head of New Taipei City’s Department of Rapid Transit Systems, said the service is running free of charge every eight minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the trial. It is projected to carry 110,000 riders per day.
The line will ease congestion across the metro network and slash travel time by 20 minutes for passengers commuting between districts in southwestern Greater Taipei as they no longer have to pass through Taipei Main Station, Lee added.
Expected to start regular operations at the end of the month, the line’s services of every four to seven minutes and five to 10 minutes during peak and off-peak periods, respectively, are set to carry a significantly higher number of passengers than during the trial. Ticket prices range from NT$20 (US$0.67) to NT$65 based on distance, according to operator Taipei Rapid Transit Corp.
Approved by the Cabinet in 2004, the line will expand north and south starting next year. An east section is scheduled for construction in 2023. (YCH-E)
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