Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System Construction Project
Global Connectivity, International Vision
Project Background
- The Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System (hereinafter referred to as "Airport MRT") was conceived to support the development of the national gateway, alleviate congestion on the western highway network, and extend airport services into the urban core. The project aims to establish a fast, convenient, and safe rail transit system that fulfills the dual objectives of airport access and metropolitan commuting.
- The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Bureau of High Speed Rail) integrated and revised previous planning from 1996, incorporating the early-stage Taoyuan MRT network (CKS Airport to Zhongli B8 Station) into a unified system for streamlined implementation.
Necessity of Construction
With the continuous growth of Taoyuan International Airport’s traffic, existing highway systems (National Highways No. 1 and No. 2) reached saturation, compromising the punctuality of airport access. The primary objectives are：
- Reliable Travel Time: Providing a dedicated rail system immune to road traffic, ensuring punctual arrivals.
- Extension of Services: Introducing In-Town Check-In (ITCI) at Taipei Main Station to bring airport services into the city center.
- Regional Development: Connecting HSR Taoyuan Station with metropolitan areas to stimulate transit-oriented growth.
Key Milestones and Implementation
The project was government-led to ensure public interest and system integration.
- Legal Basis：Conducted in accordance with the Mass Rapid Transit Act.
- Project Approval： Authorized by the Executive Yuan in 2004.
- Construction： Main works commenced in 2006.
- Official Operation： The section from Taipei Main Station (A1) to Huanbei (A21) officially opened on March 2, 2017.
- Operator： Managed by Taoyuan Metro Corporation.
Route and System Specifications
The main line spans 51.03 km with 22 stations, connecting the metropolitan areas of Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Route Alignment | From Taipei Main Station (A1), via Xinzhuang and Linkou, to Taoyuan International Airport and HSR Taoyuan Station (A18), extending to Zhongli Station (A23). |
| Stations | 22 Stations (7 Underground, 15 Elevated) |
| Structure | 21.4% Underground; 78.6% Elevated. Includes co-constructed sections with highways to optimize land use. |
| Depots | Qingpu Depot and Luzhu Depot. |
Core Electromechanical Systems
- Rolling Stock：Medium-capacity automated steel-wheel system, characterized by high stability.
- Power Supply：Overhead Catenary System (OCS) at 1,500V DC.
- Service Patterns：
- Express Trains：Approx. 35 minutes from Taipei to Airport; primarily for international travelers.
- Commuter Trains：Stops at all stations; serving metropolitan commuters.
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Train Type | xpress: Purple Livery; Commuter: Blue Livery |
| Formation | 4-car sets |
| Max Speed | 100 km/h |
| Amenities | Express trains feature luggage racks and free Wi-Fi |
Strategic Benefits
- Specialized Transportation & Efficiency：Successfully diverted traffic from highway coaches, making rail the preferred mode for international travelers and locking travel time to within 35 minutes.
- Service Innovation：The ITCI service at Taipei Main Station marks a breakthrough in Taiwan’s tourism infrastructure, extending departure services to the urban core.
- Hub Connectivity： Establishes a multi-modal network connecting Airport, HSR, TRA, and Taipei Metro (via A1, A18, and A23), enhancing the resilience of the Western Corridor.
- Urban Growth：Stimulates population influx and land development in Linkou, Qingpu, and Luzhu, leveraging the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) effect.
Publish Date:
114-12-30
Maintenance Unit:
Planning Division
Last Update Date:
115-01-21
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