Taiwan (original) (raw)

The city of Kaohsiung lies in the south of Taiwan and has 1.3 million inhabitants.

Construction contracts for a network of 2 lines (one north-south and one east-west, 42.7 km) were awarded to a consortium led by China Steel and other local companies and Siemens in May 2000 to enter service in 2005. The first two lines are operated by Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC). Trains for these two lines have been delivered from Siemens.

In January 2019, Craig Moore reports from Kaoshiung:

Given the cultural, political and economic dominance of Taipei, Taiwan�s second city, Kaohsiung, is not widely known outside of the region, despite having a metropolitan population of 2.8mil. Located on the southwest plain, the city has an interesting ethic mix, a warm, sunny climate, and some attractive post-industrial regeneration areas. Part of this regeneration has been supported by recent urban rail developments, with Kaohsiung now boasting an impressive multi-modal network of Metro, Tram and Suburban Rail.

MRT Kaohsiung�s MRT began operations in 2008 and is a two line system of 41.8km (revenue Km). Although structured in a typical �+� type arrangement, the geography of the city, with the centre radiating from the port, means the lines are somewhat unbalanced, with the southern and western legs being shorter, and thus the interchange station of Formosa Boulevard, is located in the southwest of the system. The Red Line (R) (28.7km/17.6km UG-24 stations) runs from Siaogang in the southeast, past the airport and under Jhong Shan through the centre of the city (Central Park-Kaohsiung Main Station). Continuing northeast under Bo Ai Road, the line becomes elevated after Zuoying where transfer is provided to TRA and THSR services. The viaduct meanders through less dense areas to Gangshan Nan. This is the busiest line on the system ...

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