Thursday, July 21, 2011

Taipei Metro - 台北捷運公司

The Taipei Metro, more commonly known as the MRT or formally as the Taipei Rapid Transit System, is a rapid transit system serving metropolitan Taipei in Taiwan. The system is built and operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC) and consists of 89 stations and 101.9 km of revenue track. The system carried an average of over 1.6 million passengers per day in December 2010. The Taipei Metro is Taiwan's first metro system. Since it first began operations in 1996, the system has been effective in relieving some of Taipei's traffic congestion problems.

Routes
Most rail lines running radially outward from central Taipei. The MRT system operates from 6 am to midnight daily, with extended services during special events (such as New Year festivities). Trains operate at intervals of 1.5 to 15 minutes depending on the line and time of day. Smoking is forbidden in the entire metro system, while eating, drinking, chewing gum, and betel nuts are forbidden within the yellow line of each station. Automated station announcements are recorded in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and English.

5 main lines :
1- brown = 12 stations from Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center to Zhongshan Junior High School and 12 stations from Zhongshan Junior High School to Taipei Zoo
2- red = 20 stations from Danshui to CKS Memorial Hall and 1 station from Beitou to Xinbeitou
3- orange = 4 stations from Nanshijiao to Guting and 12 stations from Zhongxiao Xinsheng to Luzhou
4- green = 12 station from Ximen to Xindian and 1 station from Qizhang to Xiaobitan
5- blue = 22 stations from Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center to Yongning

Fare and Ticketing
RFIDIC Tokens and EasyCard smart cards are used to collect fares for day-to-day use, with the exception of group tickets and bicycle access tickets (which use paper tickets).
Fares range from 20 to NT$65 with most locations accessible for around NT$20–30. Beginning April 1, 2011, senior citizens and physically challenged individuals will be entitled to a 50% discount on fares. The fare for the first 5 km on a one-way ticket is NT$20, and each additional 3 km costs an extra NT$5, up to NT$65. A 20% discount is taken with use of an EasyCard.

There are 5 types of tickets as described below :
1- IC Tokens: These single-use tokens can be bought from ticket vending machines in each station. They are valid only on the day of purchase and replaced the existing magnetic cards in 2007.
2- One-Day Pass: This card allows for unlimited Taipei Metro travel. They are valid from the first use until the end of service on the same day (not including the Maokong Gondola). Value cannot be added and it costs NT$200 (inclusive of a NT$50 deposit). The deposit can be collected if the card is returned within three days of the first use.
3- Group Ticket: These are available for groups of 10 or more (at a 20% discount) or groups of 40 or more (at a 30% discount). These cannot be refunded once issued and require passengers to enter through the "Group Ticket Entrance/Exit".
4- Single Journey Ticket for Cyclists: At a cost of NT$80, this allows for one person to bring a bicycle into the system (at select stations). It is only issued/valid at certain times, and no funds can be given once issued. In 2008, 102,279 bicycles were taken on the Taipei Metro.
5- EasyCard: Issued by the EasyCard Corporation, these cards are stored value cards for contactless electronic payment. They are available as Adult, Student, Concessionaire, and TaipeiPass varieties.

Art
Important stations such as transfer stations, terminal stations, and stations with heavy passenger flow were chosen for the installation of public art. The artworks included murals, children's mosaic collages, sculptures, hung forms, spatial art, interactive art, and window displays. The selection methods included open competitions, invitational competitions, direct assignments, and cooperation with children.


Practical Information
Opening hours : 6.00 ~ 24.00
Website : http://www.trtc.com.tw/MP_122031.html

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