taiwan high speed rail taiwan high speed rail abbreviated high speed rail line runs approximately actual length operation west coast taiwan national capital southern city construction managed private company taiwan high speed rail corporation operates line total cost project billion time built world largest privately funded rail construction schemes system based primarily japan technology line opened service january trains running speed mph little minutes reaching taiwan population intermediate stations line lie outside cities served variety transfer options free shuttle buses conventional rail constructed facilitate transport connections initially fell short forecasts grew fewer passengers day months operation passengers day june system carried million passengers august million passengers taken system december initial years operation accumulated debt high charges interest largely financial structure set private company negotiated government change method depending concessions rights time government started help loans assist company remain operational profitable history taiwan rapid economic growth half twentieth century led highways conventional rail air traffic systems western transport corridor threatened growth idea new high speed rail line arose 1970s informal planning began executive branch taiwan government instructed launch feasibility study high speed rail line western taiwan corridor completed study found comparison potential solutions traffic problems corridor high speed rail line offer highest transit volume lowest land use highest energy savings pollution july established route selected plans subsequently approved june taiwan legislature november taiwan passed law use private finance infrastructure projects applied state run project consequently transformed started tender build operate transfer scheme october bidding process pitted taiwan high speed rail consortium bid based high speed technology platform joint venture main maker french main maker bid based japanese technology supplied joint venture japanese companies submitted lower bid promised build line zero net cost government chosen preferred september group renamed formally established taiwan high speed rail corporation government signed agreement july controversy arose rolling stock selection faced difficulties raising capital government japan promised soft loans switched promised match financial offerings train disaster combination offered newer series convinced reopen core system bid ultimately resulting selected preferred rolling stock supplier december eventually conceded bid february filed million damage claim lengthy arbitration process court ruled march pay compensation million spent development million agreed pay million million interest november train operation train taiwan high speed rail started operation supplied consortium led response increasing new stations begin operation signed contract new consortium tokyo japan delivered taiwan december second january january fourth august based series west japan marked time technology exported foreign country focused adapting taiwan climate geography nose shape tunnels wider japan maximum service speed trains raised series mph cars train grouped traction units power cars trailer providing power end cars trailers avoid slip powered train long mass short tons trains passenger capacity seats classes seats configuration single business car seats configuration standard cars capita energy consumption fully loaded train private cars half buses carbon dioxide emissions private cars quarter buses operation high speed railway system taiwan started operation lot foreign talents including french german train drivers operation controllers time started train local drivers controllers controllers working october train drivers main responsibility maintain safe train operations controllers july quarter female working hours day days year requirements chief controller include experience positions hours job training acquiring qualification drivers july female driver candidates spend months completing hours professional training pass drive train addition certified high speed train driver undergo job training times year order guarantee drive train safely events taiwan frequently faces multiple types natural disasters including earthquakes heavy rainfall floods landslides reason primary focus infrastructure design respond natural disasters earthquakes ensure safety passengers trains emergency situation established system respond natural disasters unexpected intrusion right way called system consists network sensors installed rail route detect unexpected situations earthquakes strong winds heavy rainfall floods landslides case unexpected situation send signals immediately activate measures ensure safety passengers trains including stopping trains affected area functioned successfully initial operation powerful earthquake experienced measured scale shook southern taiwan march operating train slightly trains stopped track spite temporary suspension operations damage casualties affected passengers evacuated hours injury service resumed day record noted provided valuable experience operational safety global railway industry april reported ground observed construction section continued reaching seven years slowed ascribed closure deep wells operating region situation deemed safe differential settlement adjacent piers sixth level urged closure wells july government announced plans close wells reducing water pumped deep wells tonnes service according december train services week operation operation times day southbound trains originate station northbound trains originate trains operate southbound trains designated odd train numbers northbound trains train numbers train consists business car car standard cars including reserved seats non reserved seats july non reserved seats available cars trains available cars car train fitted wheelchair accessible chairs disabled friendly passengers taiwan visit station ticket window reserve seats august implementation board trains expected provide smooth wireless services making high speed ground transportation system equipped service rated highly golden service award survey far rivals long distance land transport category taking spot overall rankings industries stop patterns ticket fare way trip standard car adult ticket business car ticket fare cost non reserved seat approximately regular price business standard car reserved ticket reservations available days prior date departure including departure day senior citizens taiwan citizens years age registered disabled persons plus accompanying passenger taiwan citizens children passengers years age eligible concession half price tickets group offered groups group combination offers include non reserved seats passengers eligible multiple choose offer july smart card system provided frequent travelers multi ride trips periodic tickets contact smart cards allow travel specific stations given time period certain number rides card sold registered bearing non registered form adult tickets available format rides purchasing adding value multi ride card card balance valid days counted day use ticket good rides multi ride card provides fare reserved standard seat non registered registered multi ride tickets purchased ticket windows stations purchase multi ride ticket card deposit fee required card returned registered multi ride ticket limited personal use registered november early bird offered limited number tickets sold later days departure date tickets sell deadline tickets offered tickets sell deadline tickets offered early bird tickets sold fare tickets offered train frequency operates additional train services national holidays june proposal increase maximum number train services day compared existing day passed environmental impact assessment increasing number possible services high load days original estimates predicted daily launch growing view drop airline passengers wake asian financial crisis forecasts revised downwards final initial estimate passengers day actual initial match projections september months opening carried million passengers monthly translating passengers daily second year passenger numbers doubled year average daily continued grow passengers day jumping passengers day updated september seat occupancy years modest improvement achieved reached updated september stable passenger carried days operation september passenger carried days august december october double day holiday transported single day record passengers february day chinese new year celebration new record passengers achieved single day record reached january day chinese new year celebration passengers recent record passengers transported january high speed trains successfully competed planes august half air routes country western cities discontinued including connections cities stations single daily connection total domestic air traffic expected actually fell million june officials announced remaining commercial flight share conventional rail fell high speed rail common mode transport trips opening led reduction traffic parallel expressway despite cheaper ticket prices long distance bus companies reported passenger volumes fallen percent infrastructure construction system took professional engineers countries foreign domestic workers years complete construction work broken specialized lots contracted separately group contracts civil works covering construction superstructure open line sections stations depots subject separate groups construction lots fourth group lots track work taiwan north south high speed rail project awarded prize outstanding civil engineering project award sydney august project award indicates taiwan engineering standards gaining international recognition running northern southern region taiwan overcome problems topography technical challenges organized line voting campaign garnered votes select best infrastructure projects taiwan celebrate centennial republic taiwan high speed rail list stations construction stations contracted separately work started stations rent stations built phase second phase new stations planned years officially started early construction new stations commenced january according plan stations join operation middle planned extend operation north new station scheduled join operation station refitted old station parking facilities station square transport bus station food shopping service areas station included station design steel glass reinforced concrete construction stations lighting systems station contracted individual lighting designers stations constructed possibility connecting future rapid transit rail lines construction contract government consists parts construction operation high speed rail year keeping right development areas stations years including station station serves passengers arriving leaving travelers going entire station area hectares constituted buildings station operation center northeast parking tower southwest volume station smaller buildings focal point stands center site provides services functions large pieces glass screens metal shoulder extending horizontally station lit transparent specially designed lighting clear tempered glass glass system emphasized functions space brought bright look building high lobby ground floor connected coming entrance hall platforms built underground gateway city high tech industries images high tech natural cultural traits global perspective locality oval shaped space curved roof designed respond sunlight winds roof steel keeps maintenance easier high tech image roof opens platform rail avoid effect style responds local environment station new landmark gate gate building elevated railway lobby ground floor visitors entering exiting building entering ticket gate travelers stairs waiting areas second floor waiting areas passengers north south respectively connected air bridge send passengers platforms exits platforms avoid causing directional confusion arch walls lobby erected break symmetry walls designed known artists themes past future past wall designed artist stacked traditional building materials bricks tiles stones wood bamboo present culture building future wall designed chinese american artist applied glass material frequently wall set glass bar codes suggests future standing air bridge clearly walls connect past future station biggest space stations located village downtown elevated development includes taiwan railway station bus transit parking lots public squares supporting facilities road system adjacent areas architectural image regional transit middle taiwan gateway core future development decide image entire city planning sets scales regional street level building group vertical volume designed accordance regional considerations stations structure designed accordance city level concerns supporting facilities designed respond street level needs site addition images local elements applied design capacity buildings nature space potential neighboring districts convenience traffic square contrast vertical horizontal volumes buildings constitute skyline considered horizontal volume station conditions site functions development regulations contrast created vertical volumes supporting structures characterize space enhance image architecture surroundings images supporting facilities suggestive image stations revealing stories ground constructed structure shared building rails bus transit area generator room parking lot taxi waiting lines ground floor lobby shops staff offices second floor train platforms floor stations located plain conditions construction sites transportation needs places similar architectural themes differ order reflect local characteristics oblique roof covering eastern facade features high tech image generator room decorated horizontal reflect minimalist style columns system station imitate trees extend outside building artificial elements integrated nature night falls ceiling lit thousands lights system resembling night branches forest pavement plaza reflects natural landscape clouds wall water feature design station plaza reflect old city fence colored silver gray green represent preserved surroundings colored reddish brown represent rich historical heritage art projects respond natural landscape high tech images medical science park constructed close near future art projects respond city long history bright future expected brought high tech industrial park nearby station station located near half screen mountain lotus pond station provides travelers safe comfortable convenient transportation serves gateway landmark area extending station serve interface station surroundings pedestrian walks open public activities station parking tower main architectural structures landmarks scale meets conditions environment major public construction city station applies glass screens frame half screen mountain backdrop technique referred scenery borrowing glass screens supported ground floor architectural characteristics southern taiwan relieve pressure building bring streets station structures include station parking tower power station duty command center affiliated facilities structure station designed address needs convenient maintenance high loading large span stations transportation improve local public transit connections stations built new spur lines branching opened january line opened november track reflecting design speed mph track layout designed minimum curve radius track centre distance right way width maximum gradient location track combining slab track japanese manufacture open line sections switches german supplier track laying began july line electrified system signalling train control system laid directional operation according european specifications track section automatic control system ensures trains spaced apart prevent collisions months delays trial runs trains began january section october day test run passed planned service speed mph targeted maximum test speed mph achieved section opened public january platforms opened march bringing entire line operation civil works line carried line runs pre stressed concrete box spans place october continuous section world longest elevated rail line section time opening designed earthquake resistant allow trains stop safely seismic event damage following maximum design earthquake bridges built known fault lines designed survive fault movements catastrophic damage line tunnels including section tunnels total length sections longest finished length tunnels included total mined sections bored excavation support construction method excavated tunnel faces november july finished interior cross area set according wider european standards provides space tracks safety environmental issues environmental measures line construction phase included construction animal bridges line planting planting trees track noise screens purchase farmland create preservation area birds away line years devoted preservation tailed type bird considered endangered taiwan million invested artificial habitat recovery project completed collaboration local government country development organizations non profit organizations tailed population taiwan point numbered increased recovery habitat officially renamed opened public educate students matters concerning environmental protection year arranges elementary junior high school students visit able learn beauty taiwan natural habitats story balance construction environment protection plan year old tree temple years tree temple located main route faced removal railway construction temple local land god temple established old tree belief center people adjusted line design tree temple original place local government people protect old tree temple today local government environment cultural historical authorities drafted old tree medical plan called repair decayed branches measures designed maintain long term growth health tree financial revenue cost revenue comes ticket sales supplemental income comes activities advertising renting spaces standing shops spots advertising spots trains station platforms sold revenues grew years remained expectations second year operation revenues fell barely short expectations year earlier doubling year results cost running trains infrastructure cash operating costs initially billion month reduced billion month revenues exceeded level generating positive operating cash flow fourth month operation april heavy accounting fixed cost fixed assets like rolling stock infrastructure significant non cash element total operating costs years operation applied straight line distributing costs evenly period years result balance operating revenues costs operating income showed high loss year operation reduced revenues grew second year period set reflected length concession longer lifespan infrastructure factor operating loss adopting activity method variable time posted operating profit year operation company reported annual profit billion years operation time year operation company reported net income billion earnings share revenues increased billion billion operating costs expenses excluding rising period time gross profit totaled billion increase income operations totaled billion increase totaled billion increase gross profit income operation record highs commencing operations significant influence taiwan economy lives people company continued pursue sustainable growth aligned interests shareholders society achieving record profits amid challenging economic environment interest cost major item company financing years operation interest rates market rates interest expense stood billion month april achieved break cash flow revenue cash expenses exclude billion interest rates fell half reducing interest expenses contributing reduced net loss new syndicate loan company imminent financial burden signed billion contract consortium domestic banks led january utilized new loan pay previous syndicated loan higher interest june long term debts totaling billion include billion corporate bonds billion bank loans comparison terms conditions previous loans newly signed debts carried lower interest rates longer years company financial burden largely reduced financial loan cumulative figures july interest equal accumulated debt september government report identified financial structure resulting high interest rates high charges main causes negative financial performance government assessed performed core business measured earnings interest taxes reduce interest load sought revise loan structure reduce costs increasing time requested extension year concession period summer cumulative losses equivalent thirds equity capital response global financial crisis domestic economic recession proposed increase income reduce expenditures aspects hope raising operation performances february announced adjust train frequency cut salary payment management level measured expand fare promotion stimulate rider ship media questioned planned construction intermediate stations extension postponed published press release september stating company comply taiwan high speed operation contract construction project intermediate stations initiated july scheduled start operation time completion total stations operation route company new management september aim turning company finances government help arranging loans government took majority control company election new board november january accumulated losses exceeded billion signed government guaranteed deal government dominated banks provided billion lower interest rates longer maturity government approved company new variable charge incidents april suspicious items found inside north bound train toilet heading station train stopped station passengers evacuated later determined contained unidentified liquid cans alarm clock white matter items dismantled bomb squad taken investigation legislators board train master received complaints passengers women toilet cabin contained pieces emitted strange odor informed later boarded train stopped station traffic control center decided evacuate passengers train stopped station people asked continue journey train passengers affected incident given allowing purchase high speed ticket journey half price train company blame incident bomber suspects arrested hotel china april repatriated taiwan april tracks near badly damaged earthquake february high speed rail services south suspended february public relation beginning operation planned series camp events camp events organized include college university senior high school high school junior high school elementary school students lectures given gatherings information high speed rail order pupils better understanding ride join book exhibition free order promote national reading culture organized ride join book exhibition free event offered passengers free admission held february year reading train launched year spokesperson singer read classic novel old man sea children aboard train allowing students remote areas experience joy reading marvel high speed rail travel word maxim exhibition organized word maxim exhibition renowned station public display enormous meter tall meter wide sculpture created naturally wood taiwan sculpture taiwan allows spirit words constraints writing brush cultural artistic significance enriched journeys passengers station spring international cappella performance sponsored organize taiwan international cappella festival featured performances musical groups stations performances received passengers fans forming groups catch glimpse musicians stations sponsored time hold spring performance stars spring concert gave passengers opportunity view live performances prominent international musical groups owing unique architecture design stations local scenic destinations popular backdrops wedding photos mark centennial organized centennial love event awarded unique gifts selected couples taking wedding photos stations visits effort allow general public gain deeper understanding provides station tour guides educate visitors operation service addition professional organizations permitted visit depots gain hands knowledge received groups total people continues actively conduct experience sharing fellow railway transportation operators enhance quality public transportation create better planning design service engaging industry peers areas improvement continual aim providing high quality services passengers deliver love remote village children offered tuition assistance program children company invited passengers support effort raised million help students pay tuition fees event creating sustainable reliable relationship general public significant corporate vision important foundation environmental social continue making efforts establish good partnership general public customers employees suppliers communities government create greater value parties forward philosophy extra mile improve lives provision environmentally friendly high speed rail services play central role connecting entire western corridor taiwan operation dedicated initiatives emphasizing environmental protection giving support members communities served published report gave better understanding objectives activities received 20th sponsored smile program cooperation nonprofit organizations company organized offers minority groups families chance experience comfort convenience high speed rail rides smile program gave ride january children social workers parents branch end people total comprising groups families participated popular culture national geographic website chose travel high speed rail western taiwan best winter trip film feature prominently movie summer tail directed group teenagers son japanese engineer working high speed railway hang vacant lot elevated tracks leg season internationally aired reality television game amazing race watched million americans competing teams travelled taiwan high speed rail train video game developed jointly company japanese company basis train series game playstation system game features real video help european train drivers released chinese english language version taiwan hong_kong singapore july japanese version released november
Taiwan High Speed Rail