The system is built to provide public transportation to Danhai New Town, whose population is expected to reach 340,000 by 2041.[7]
The initial feasibility study for a heavy-capacity extension line of the Taipei Metro was completed in 1992. Further planning reports were completed in 1998 and 1999. At that time the project was put on hold due to budgetary considerations. In 2005, planning shifted from a metro system to a light rail system. A light rail feasibility study was completed in 2007, with a review of funding and operation throughout 2008. The study was completed and presented for approval to the Executive Yuan in 2010.[8]
The system is projected to carry 120,000 passengers per day.[11]
Route
Route Map
The system currently consists of 14 stations, with 6 additional stations planned.[12]. Tracks are at ground level and elevated. The total length will be 13.99 kilometres (8.69mi).[7]
The Hongshulin–Kanding section opened in December 2018.[3] Trains run from Hongshulin Station northward and turn west along Zhongzheng East Road, Highway No. 2, Binhai Road and Shalun Road.[12][13] Seven of its eleven stations are elevated, with the remaining four at ground level.[14] The bike sharing service YouBike is available at seven stations.[15][16]
A two-kilometre (1.2mi) branch with three stations opened in November 2020.[17] The branch runs from Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, turns eastward to join the Kanding branch,[12] with which it shares 1.21 kilometres (0.75mi) and three stops.[13] The line follows Highway No. 2B, Binhai Road, and Shalun Road.[10] All nine stations will be at ground level.[14]
The cars were built in Taiwan by the Taiwan Rolling Stock Company[13] under the first program to domestically build light rail vehicles. The company partnered with the German firm Voith Engineering Services on the design of the cars. Final assembly and the manufacturing of many components were done in Taiwan. Through this project, Taiwan seeks to lessen its dependence on foreign manufacturers for rail systems.[19]
Each of the 15 bi-directional standard gaugetrams is 34.5 metres (113ft) long and can carry up to 265 passengers. They are designed with electrical onboard storage capacity so that they can travel short distances under their power; this feature allows simplification of the overhead power cabling by eliminating the need to run the power cables across major intersections.[20] The prototype was scheduled to be ready in 2016,[7] with all 15 cars to be delivered by the end of 2017.[21][22]
The project is divided into two phases. The first phase is the 11-station Green Mountain Line and part of the Blue Coast Line comprising three stations, totaling 9.7 kilometres (6.0mi) and the depot. The whole first phase costs NT$12.8 billion. Work began in September 2014 and as of May 2016 is approximately one-third complete. With the opening of the Green Mountain Line, the first phase of the Danhai light rail is almost completed. The other three stations along the Blue Coast Line will be completed later.[13]
The second phase completes the remaining 4.4 kilometres (2.7mi) and six more stations of the Blue Coast Line.[12] Its planned completion is in 2024.[7]
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