Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit

Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit

Overview
Locale	Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	2
Number of stations	37
Daily ridership	178,975 (Dec. 2013 avg.)
Website	Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp.
Operation
Began operation	March 9, 2008
Operator(s)	Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation
Technical
System length	42.7 km (26.5 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge)
System map KMRT Legend R24 R23 R22A R22 R21 R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 O1 R13 O2 R12 O4 R11 O5 R10 O6 R9 O7 R8 O8 R7 O9 R6 O10 R5 O11 R4A O12 R4 O13 R3 O14 OT1

Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System
Traditional Chinese	高雄都會區大眾捷運系統
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Gāoxióng Dūhuìqū Dàzhòng Jiéyùn Xìtǒng Tongyong Pinyin Gaosyóng Duhuèicyu Dàjhòng Jiéyùn Sìtǒng Wade–Giles Kao1-hsiung2 Tu1-hui4-ch'ü1 Ta4-chung4 Chieh2-yün4 Hsi4-t'ung3 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Ko-hiông To·-hōe-khu Toā-chiòng Chia̍t-ūn Hē-thóng
KMRT
Traditional Chinese	高雄捷運
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Gāoxióng Jiéyùn Tongyong Pinyin Gaosyóng Jiéyùn Wade–Giles Kao1-hsiung2 Chieh2-yün4 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Ko-hiông Chia̍t-ūn

A KMRT train approaching World Games Station

The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System (KMRT; Chinese: 高雄大眾捷運系統; pinyin: Gāoxióng Dàzhòng Jiéyùn Xìtǒng) is a rapid transit system covering metropolitan Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Construction of the KMRT started in October 2001. The Red Line and the Orange Line opened on March 9 and September 14, 2008, respectively. KMRT is operated by the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC; Chinese: 高雄捷運公司) under the BOT contract the company signed with the Kaohsiung City Government.

Two of Kaohsiung's MRT stations, Formosa Boulevard Station and Central Park Station, were ranked among the top 50 most beautiful subway systems in the world by Metrobits.org in 2011. In 2012, the two stations respectively are ranked as the 2nd and the 4th among the top 15 most beautiful subway stops in the world by BootsnAll.

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.

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 the three consortia that submitted bids, Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC) was awarded the contract received priority negotiating rights with the city government in constructing the system. KRTC obtained a company license and was registered in December 2000. In January 2001, KRTC signed the "Construction and Operation Agreement" and the "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. The currently system cost NT$181.3 (US$5.46 billion) to construct and includes a contract for 30 years of operation and maintenance. Construction costs were shared between the central government (79%), Kaohsiung City Government (19%), and Kaohsiung County Government (2%).

Construction began in October 2001, with 66 shield tunnels (45.3 km) completed in May 2006. The cut-and-cover and bored tunnel methods were used for construction of the lines. In November 2006, the first trial runs began on the Red Line. In January 2007, the last concrete slabs were laid for the 37 planned stations.

Scandals and major construction accidents

Passengers lining up to board at Zuoying Station

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 sand underground and water break-ins. Four low-rise buildings near the collapsed tunnel had to be evacuated and later on had to be torn down due to major structure damages.

The Kaohsiung MRT Foreign Workers 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.

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 above the subway tunnel. Several nearby buildings were evacuated for several days for inspection. It was estimated that the road tunnel could not be rebuilt and reopened for traffic for at least a few months. In January 2008 the section was still closed and traffic is diverted around the affected area.

Opening

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, and the Red Line (except for 2 stations) opened for service on March 9, 2008. The Orange Line fully opened for service on September 14, 2008.

Ridership

Ridership has been far below expectations, with an average of 100,000 passengers per day versus an expected 360,000, and accumulated losses are expected to reach NT$6 billion by the end of 2009.

As of December 2013, the average daily ridership stands at about 178,975, with ridership figures significantly greater on weekends than on weekdays. During New Year's Eve on December 31, 2012, the system transported 472,378 passengers. KRTC stated that ridership would need to exceed 380,000 passengers per day in order to break even.

Routes

The Kaohsiung MRT system is made up of 2 lines with 36 stations covering a distance of 42.7 km (26.5 mi). 27 of these stations are underground, with 8 elevated and 1 at-grade level. All underground stations have full height platform screen doors.

• Kaohsiung MRT route table:
  • In operation: Main lines: 2, Extensions: 0
  • Planned: Main lines: 9, Extensions: 6
  • Total routes: Main lines: 11, Extension: 6
  • Terminated: Main line: 1, Extensions: 1

Livery & Line		Termini (District)		Stations	Length	Depot
Red Line	Red (Main)	Gangshan South (Gangshan)	Siaogang (Xiaogang)	23	28.3 km	North South
Orange Line	Orange (Main)	Sizihwan (Gushan)	Daliao (Daliao)	14	14.4 km	Daliao

Red Line

Main article: Red Line (KMRT)

From the intersection of Yanhai and Hanmin Roads in the Siaogang District in the South, the Red Line travels northwards, following Jhongshan Road as it passes by 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 parts of the city formerly part of Kaohsiung County. The route finally passes along the Gaonan Highway to Qiaotou District and the southern border area of Gangshan District. 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 was opened for passenger service on December 23, 2012.

Central Park Station

Orange Line

Main article: Orange Line (KMRT)

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. The route then follows Jhongjheng Road as it passes by Kaohsiung City Council, Dagangpu Circle, Cultural Center, Martial Arts Stadium, and the Weiwuying Park planning site before entering parts of the city formerly part of Kaohsiung County. The route continues along Zihyou Road, Guangyuan Road and Jhongshan East Road in Fengshan District to Daliao District. 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.

Circular Light Rail Line

Main article: Circular Line (KMRT)

The Circular Light Rail Line (aka Kaohsiung LRT, Kaohsiung Tram) for Kaohsiung City is a planned light rail line. Construction of Phase I began in June 2013, and is scheduled to be in operation by mid-2016.

A temporary light rail system for demonstration purposes, with just 2 stations, was built in the Central Park in 2004, using Melbourne D2 Tram cars from Siemens. As it was simply for demonstration purposes, it was closed soon after, and is no longer operational.

Future lines

Long-term plans(include Tainan LRT)

The Kaohsiung MRT is expected to be extended further into parts of Greater Kaohsiung, as well as Pingtung County.

Lines		Terminals	Length in km	Total Length	Status	Type	Depot
Red Line	Gangshan/Lujhu extension	Lujhu－Gangshan South	10.46	61.86	planned	rapid transit	North South
	Main line	Gangshan South－Siaogang	28.3		operational
	Linyuan extension	Siaogang—Linyuan Ind'l Park	12.2		under evaluation	LRT	Linyuan
	Donggang extension	Wufang—Dapengwan	10.9		proposed	BRT
Orange Line	Main line	Sizihwan—Daliao	14.4	43.07	operational	rapid transit	Daliao
	Daliao extension	Daliao—Linyuan	14.67		proposed	BRT
	Pingtung extension	Fongshan Jr. HS—Taisugar PT FTY	14.0		approved by Executive Yuan	rapid transit	Pingtung
Circular Line	Phase I (Main line)	Lizihnei—Hamasing	8.7	22.1	under construction	LRT	Cianjhen Agriculture 16 Yard
	Phase II (Main line)	Hamasing—Ersheng Rd.	13.4		planned
Yanchao Line	Phase I (Main line)	Yuanjhong Harbor—Shu-Te Univ.	12.78	23.17	revised		Yanchao OEM
	Phase II (Main line)	Shenshuei—Buddha Mem. Hall	10.39		proposed
Youchang Line	Main line	Zuoying—Yuanjhong Harbor	6.4	6.4	proposed	BRT
Brown Line	Main line	Singuang Frry. Wharf—Niaosong	10.72	10.72	planned	LRT	Niaosong
Yellow Line	Main line	Dream Mall—Niaosong	14.3	14.3	planned
Fongshan Line	Main line	Ruixiang Jr. HS—Niaosong	10.38	10.38	planned
Green Line	Main line	Wujia Ruilung—Houjing	16.15	16.15	proposed	BRT
Foguangshan Line	Main line	Siliao—Cable-Stayed Bridge	16.06	16.06	proposed

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 (with the exception of Kaohsiung Arena Station since the Taiwanese translation for the name is not available), Hakka, and English, with Japanese announcements at the major stations.

Central Park Station courtyard

Fares and ticketing

The fares of KMRT is distance-based, with a minimum of NT$20 for trips within 10 km. The maximum fare on Red Line is NT$60, from Siaogang Station to Ciaotou Station.

One way fare is ticketed with an RFID IC token. The I-Pass, a contactless smart card, can be used as well. Discounts are offered to students and senior citizens. Other similar smart cards for use in Taichung and Taipei cannot be used interchangeably.

Formosa Boulevard Station's "Dome of Light"

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

K.R.T. Girls

The four K.R.T. Girls (Chinese: 高捷少女) are a virtual mascot of the system. It is claimed that they brought in revenue of NT$2 million (US$61,576) in just seven months. They were later developed into a planning called "Go ahead! K.R.T.Girls!" (前進吧！高捷少女！).

See also

• List of metro systems
• Rail transport in Taiwan
• Taipei Metro

External links

• Kaohsiung Future LRT Network Map
• Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation – official website (Chinese)
• Mass Rapid Transit Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government