Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit
The
Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System (
Traditional Chinese:
高雄大眾捷運系統 ;also known as the
KMRT, KRT) is an underground
metro system currently under construction in the metropolitan area of
Kaohsiung,
Taiwan. Construction began in October,
2001. Completion is scheduled for sometime in October,
2007. Accidents during construction have led some to question whether such a time frame is indeed feasible, but the consortium has promised to begin limited but free services in December,
2006.
On February 1,
1999, the
Kaohsiung Municipal Government signalled the start of this
BOT(Build, Operate, Transfer) project by solicitation of private sector investment for the construction of the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit System's Red and Orange Lines.
The provisional office of the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation was established by the locally based China Steel Corporation in February 1999, which lodged an application to invest in the project following the solicitation of the Kaohsiung Municipal Government. The main participants in the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation are: China Steel Corporation, Southeast Cement Corporation, RSEA Engineering Corporation, China Development Industrial Bank, and the Industrial Bank of Taiwan.
Following the public appraisal of the applications by the Kaohsiung Municipal Government, the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation was selected on May 26, 1999 as one of the shortlisted applicants. On May 10,
2000, the Corporation was selected as the best applicant and concluded the relevant agreements and protocols with the Kaohsiung Municipal Government in August 2000. The raising of the initial capital stock was completed on December 19, 2000 and an inaugural meeting of the stockholders was held on the same day. Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation obtained a company licence and was registered on December 28, 2000. The Corporation signed the" Construction and Operation Agreement" and" Development Agreement" with the Kaohsiung Municipal Government on January 12,
2001.
Late
2004, a large section of a tunnel under construction near Sizihwan station at the end of the Orange Line collapsed. Consequently, more than 10 low-rise apartment buildings above the collapsed tunnel sustained major damages and had to be evacuated.
A scandal in
2005 involving alleged inhumane treatment of
Thai migrant workers and improper kickbacks to politicians has tainted the public confidence in the construction of the system and prompted a diplomatic incident involving the Thai Prime Minister asking the migrant workers to return to
Thailand. The scandal prompted the resignation of a Taiwanese cabinet minister, Chairperson of the Council of Labor Affairs
Chen Chu.
Early in December of 2005 an underground tunnel collapsed under a major throughfare in the city, causing the avenue and also a major road tunnel (which was built a long time before the metro and unrelated to the metro project) above the metro tunnel and below the road to collapse. Buildings near the site were evacuated for a few days for inspection. It was estimated that the road and the road tunnel cannot be completely rebuilt and reopened for traffic for at least a few months.
Routes
Route MAPPlanned Routes
The total combined length of the Red and Orange Lines of the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit System will be 42.7 kilometers. Along these two lines, there will be 38 stations, of which 28 will be underground, two at ground level and eight elevated.
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Red Line:Ciaotou (橋頭) -
Siaogang (小港):28.3 km, 24 stations (15 underground, 8 elevated, and 1 surface level)
Starting at the intersection of Yanhai and Hanmin Roads in Hsiaokang District, the Red Line runs south to north, following Jungshan Road as it passes the Kaohsiung International Airport, Labor Park, Sanduo Commercial Center, Central Park, Takangpu, to the Kaohsiung Train Station. After the Taiwan Railway Lines the Red Line then follows Boai Road across Chahaer Street, Tashuen Road, Yucheng Road, Tzuonan Road, Nantz Industrial Park and, after entering Kaohsiung County, passes alongside the Kaohnan Expressway to Chiaotou township. The total length is about 28.3 kilometers with 24 stations, of which 15 are underground, 8 elevated and one at ground level. Two depots will be built to serve the line.'''
*
Orange Line:Sizihwan (西子灣) - Daliao (大寮):14.4 km, 14 stations (13 underground, 1 surface level)
Running from west to east, the Orange Line will begin at Hsitzuwan and then pass between Lihsiung Street and Linhai 1st Road via Tayung Road up to Love River. After passing Love River, the Orange Line will follow Jungjeng Road past the Kaohsiung City Council, Takangpu, the Mintzu, Hoping and Fute Intersections, Martial Arts Stadium and the Weiwuying Military Barracks before entering Kaohsiung County. Within Kaohsiung County, the line will pass along Fengshan Tzyou Road, Kuangyuan Road, and Jungshan East Road to terminate in Taliao township. The total length of the line is about 14.4 kilometers with 14 stations. All the stations will be underground except for the ground level Taliao Station. A single depot will be built to serve the line.
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CKS International Airport Access MRT System*
List of rapid transit systems*
Rail transport in Taiwan*
Taipei Rapid Transit System
*
Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation Official Website*
Mass Rapid Transit Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government*
Kaohsiung City Government Official Website
