Type Rapid transit Stations 5 | Termini Luzhou
Daqiaotou Opened November 3, 2010 | |
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Locale Taipei and New Taipei, Taiwan Operator(s) Taipei Rapid Transit System | ||
The Taipei Metro Luzhou Line is a high-capacity, underground branch of the Xinzhuang Line that runs through Taipei and New Taipei. It forms part of the Orange Line and is named for the district of Luzhou where the line terminates. The line originates from Daqiaotou (where it branches off from the Xinzhuang Line). The line is 6.4 km (4.0 mi) long with 5 underground stations and a maintenance depot.
Contents
Overview
Due to heavy traffic for residents in the districts of Luzhou and Sanchong traveling in and out of downtown Taipei, a rapid transit line was constructed to meet this urgent need. Although the Luzhou Line is technically only the section from Daqiaotou to Luzhou, the Xinzhuang Line section is commonly included as part of the Luzhou Line. All stations are equipped with platform screen doors and it is the first high-capacity line in the system equipped with them.
Although plans were to have the line open for revenue service before the end of 2010, the line began free trial service on November 3, 2010. The line began revenue service from December 3, 2010.
Impact
Since its first three weeks after opening, the line (along with the Xinzhuang Line section) had reached a total ridership of over 3 million passengers, with an average of 157,000 passengers per day. It is expected to cut travel time between Luzhou and Taipei by at least half, with travel time between Luzhou and Taipei Main Station cut down to 17 minutes. The system surpassed an annual ridership of 500 million for the first time on December 29, 2010, widely attributed to the opening of the new line. The line has been effective in relieving congestion, with a 24% increase in average vehicle speed crossing Taipei Bridge (to Taipei) during rush hour since the opening of the line. During the initial one-month trial, bus routes that ran parallel to the metro route experienced a 40% decrease in ridership, although bus ridership is expected to rise again after the end of the free trial.
In anticipation of the opening of the new line, property prices along the route have risen by 36% since 2008. Although small businesses along the line (most notably in Zhongshan and Datong, two older districts) have benefited from increased business during the free trial period, analysts noted that the initial business boon may only be short-lived and it may be years before these areas see real benefits as a result of the new line.
Construction
The cut-and-cover method was used in the construction of stations and turnout sections, while the shield tunneling method was used in other sections.
Because of the limits of land availability and the narrowness of the streets above ground, the two tunnels running beneath the Tamsui River were built stacked on top of one another. It was the first construction to use caisson in Taiwan. Floodgates have been installed where the line emerges from underneath the Tamsui River to prevent flooding from spreading to nearby stations.
History
Although the line was called the Luzhou Branch Line during construction, the name was changed to simply the Luzhou Line before it opened for service.
Station Design
The stations along the Luzhou Line were designed along the common theme of egrets. To highlight each station's characteristics, a series of subthemes were created: "Wind" at Luzhou Station, "Water" at Sanmin Senior High School Station, "Reeds" at St. Ignatius High School Station, "Sand" at Sanhe Junior High School Station, and "Garden" at Sanchong Elementary School Station.
To present this theme, many paintings and screen prints of egrets are used. Furthermore, vent shafts are shaped into images of sands and hills.
Depot
The location for the depot was originally an agricultural area. In preparation for the construction of the depot, all buildings on the site were scheduled for demolition. Through coordination and negotiation between the landowners and DORTS, the land for the depot was acquired ahead of the scheduled deadline. The Luzhou Line Linear Park is located above the metro tunnel as trains head into the depot for a total length of 900 m (3,000 ft).