Interior of Purple Direct “Airport MRT” Train Unveiled: Luggage Check-in Added at Taipei Main Station

▲ The Taoyuan Airport MRT has entered the final phase of testing, with the purple line representing the direct express trains. (Photo / fromHigh-Speed Rail Bureau’s official Facebook page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taoyuan Airport MRT is expected to begin operations by the end of 2015 and is currently in the final stages of intensive testing. On the 25th, President Ma Ying-jeou and Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Kuang-shih, among others, visited Taipei Main Station for an inspection, where the interior design of the Airport MRT train was unveiled to the public for the first time.

The purple train, representing the Airport MRT's fast direct service, passed through the transition section from the Sanchong end on the 25th, entering beneath the Tamsui River to arrive at the terminal Taipei Main Station, initiating the final phase of electromechanical testing. Inside the train, the seat colors complement the vehicle’s purple theme, with dark purple seats designated as priority seating. There are also lounge-style seating areas arranged in pairs, facilitating passenger conversation, along with small square tables for placing drinks. Luggage storage areas are also available next to the doors for passenger convenience.

▲%Following the previous report on the interior of the direct express train, the purple-themed cabin features priority seating (as shown in the image), along with cozy two-seater lounge zones (with small tables between them, as shown above) for passengers to chat comfortably. (Photo /Weng HuipingAuthorized for use, please do not reproduce without permission)

%The train also includes dedicated luggage racks near the doors (as shown in the image, as shown above). (Photo /Weng HuipingAuthorized for use, please do not reproduce without permission)

Another notable feature of the Airport MRT is the early check-in counters available at major stations (such as Taipei Main Station and New Taipei Industrial Park Station), allowing travelers to check in their luggage in advance at the station before proceeding to the airport with ease.

In the future, the Taoyuan Airport MRT will operate two types of services: the purple fast direct trains and the blue regular trains. The fast direct trains depart from Taipei Main Station, making stops only at key stations in the urban area and the airport, taking just 35 minutes to reach the first terminal of Taoyuan Airport. In contrast, the blue regular trains stop at every station like a conventional MRT, taking approximately 70 minutes to reach the first terminal. According to plans by the High-Speed Rail Bureau, both types of trains will run alternately, with an average departure frequency of once every five minutes.

The total length of the Taoyuan Airport MRT route is 53.07 kilometers, spanning Taipei City, New Taipei City, and ending at Zhongli Railway Station. The line includes a total of 23 stations. In the first phase of operation in 2015, the route will only cover Taipei Main Station to Huanbei Station, while the extension from Huanbei Station to Zhongli Railway Station is scheduled to open in 2019.

▲%As seen at Taipei Main Station, one of the main hubs of the Airport MRT, there are dedicated luggage carts (as shown above), allowing passengers to avoid carrying their luggage all the way to the airport. The image below shows the future route map of the Airport MRT. (Photo / fromTaoyuan MRT official Facebook page)