Harman Patil (Editor)

Taipei Railway Station

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Distance
  
28.3 km from Keelung

Phone
  
+886 2 2181 2345

Opened
  
5 July 1891

Taipei Railway Station

Other names
  
Taipei Railway Station (TRA) / Taipei Main Station (MRT)

Location
  
No. 49, Sec. 1, Zhongxiao W. Rd. (TRA) No. 49, Beiping W. Rd. (Metro) Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei Taiwan

Operated by
  
Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation Taiwan High Speed Rail

Line(s)
  
Line 2 (R10)      Line 5 (BL12)      West Coast (100)      HSR (02/TPE)

Connections
  
250 m:      Taoyuan Airport MRT (A1 Taipei Main)

Address
  
10041, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, 忠孝西路1段49號

Similar
  
Ximending, Taipei City Mall, Ximen Station, Zhongshan Station, Jiufen

Taipei Station, also called Taipei Railway Station (臺北火車站, by the Taiwan Railway Administration) or Taipei Main Station (臺北車站, by the Taipei Metro), is a major transport hub in Taipei, Taiwan. The station handles over half a million passengers daily on conventional rail, metro, and high-speed rail.

Contents

Taipei Station and its surroundings are currently undergoing intensive renovation and redevelopment. Projects include the construction of the Taoyuan Airport MRT System which is slated to begin service in March 2017.

Station overview

The station is a four-level is located in the Zhongzheng District in downtown Taipei. The underground station area south of the station is known as "station front" because the original railway station's main entrance faced south. Accordingly, the area just north of the station is known as "station rear." The station rear area is actually located in the Datong District. The commercial districts around the station are popular with students and commuters, and boast a large collection of bookstores, eclectic businesses targeting students, and cram schools. Because of its location at what is roughly considered the center of Taipei, the station is a popular meeting point for students and tourists.

Services

The station itself is a large building which houses multiple rail services as well as serving as the headquarters of the Taiwan Railway Administration. The railway platforms are located on the B2 level, while the B1 level serves as a waiting area. Ticketing services are on the first floor while the second floor contains a food court and several stores, including the shopping center (Breeze Taipei Station). The upper levels are occupied by TRA offices.

  • Taiwan Railway Administration: Passengers can board a train to most cities in Taiwan without transferring. East-bound (clockwise) trains travel to Keelung, Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, etc. West-bound (counterclockwise) trains go to Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, etc.
  • Taipei Metro: Taipei Main Station is served by both the Line 2 and Line 5 directly and is a major transfer hub.
  • Taiwan High Speed Rail: Scheduled HSR services began operating from Taipei Station on March 2, 2007. Previously, southbound travelers had to board at HSR Banqiao Station, in western Taipei. Using platforms originally used by TRA, the station serves around 140 trains per day (departing and arriving).
  • Taipei Bus Station This multi-use complex is located adjacent to Taipei Station.
  • City Buses: Bus routes to destinations within Taipei and New Taipei, both located in the Taipei Basin.
  • Intercity Buses: Many bus companies provide service from Taipei to cites in the western half of Taiwan as well as Yilan. They also provide service to the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with traveling time around forty minutes.
  • Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System: A rail route to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport has been started to trial operation since Feb 2, 2017.
  • (K)K Underground Mall

  • Exit M1/Y2: TRA/THSR(Entrance North 1)
  • Exit M2:Civic Blvd Expressway
  • Exit M3:Cosmos Hotel Taipei
  • Exit M4:TRA/THSR(Entrance South 1)
  • Exit M5:Station Front Plaza
  • Exit M6:Caesar Park Hotel Taipe, National Taiwan Museum
  • Exit M7:Zhongshan N. Rd.
  • Exit M8:Gongyuan Rd, YMCA Taipei
  • (M)Zhongshan Metro Mall

  • Taipei Bus Station
  • Q Square
  • Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei
  • Zhongshan Station (R11G14), Shuanglian Station(R12
  • (Y)Taipei City Mall

  • Palais de Chine Hotel Taipei
  • Taipei Station Wholesale Market
  • Beimen Station(G13
  • Taipei Main Station(A1), Taoyuan International Airport MRT
  • (Z)Station Front Metro Mall

  • Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A
  • Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store
  • Guanqian Rd, Land Bank, Taiwan Cooperative Bank
  • Chongqing S. Rd, First Bank
  • North Gate
  • Taipei Post Office of Chunghwa Post
  • History

    The first rail station in Taipei was completed in Twatutia in 1891, during Qing rule, when the railway to Keelung was opened for service. Initially, a temporary station was built while a permanent station was constructed in 1897, during Japanese rule (1895-1945). In 1901, the station was located to the east of its current location. It was rebuilt in 1940 to accommodate growing passenger traffic.

    To alleviate traffic congestion caused by railroad crossings in downtown Taipei, an underground railway tunnel between Huashan and Wanhua was built along with the present station building as part of the Taipei Railway Underground Project. When the underground system was completed on September 2, 1989, railway service was moved to the newly completed building (completed on September 5, 1989) and the old building as well as a temporary station were demolished.

    The current station was further expanded with the opening of the Taipei Metro. The metro station is connected to the basement of the railway station and opened to passenger traffic in 1997 to the Danshui Line (now the Tamsui Line). Extensive underground malls now exist at the front and back of the station, which emulate those found in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. The station also became a terminus for Taiwan High Speed Rail trains when the network began service in 2007.

    Ongoing developments

    Taipei Station and the area surrounding it have been undergoing renovation since 2005. Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki was chosen to design two skyscrapers that will surround the railroad station. Maki will also oversee the renovation of Taipei Station. The height of the taller tower will be 76 stories, whereas the shorter tower will be 56 stories. The two skyscrapers will be constructed on empty parcels found adjacent to Taipei Station, above the future Taoyuan Airport MRT station.

    The station interior underwent renovation work from February to October 2011. Basement restrooms were renovated, the basement and first floor preparations for additional Breeze Plaza retail space began, the large ticket office in the first floor lobby was removed, and additional retail space was allocated. In addition, the flooring on the first floor was completely replaced, fire and evacuation regulations were improved, and solar panels will be installed on the station roof.

    References

    Taipei Railway Station Wikipedia