Taiwan's first light rail transit line lays tracks; Chen Chu: First phase aims for test runs in September

Reported by Yu t
ru / Comprehensive report

Taiwan's first "circular light rail transit system" began laying tracks today (24th). Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu stated that after the track laying, various electrical, signaling, and communication projects will follow in succession, marking a major milestone for Kaohsiung’s waterfront light rail. She expressed hope to advance toward the goal of launching the first phase for test operations in September, ushering in an era of a comprehensive public transportation network.


▲ Kaohsiung Light Rail is Taiwan’s first light rail, and its construction also presents a completely new challenge. (Photo / Provided by Kaohsiung City Government)
Kaohsiung Light Rail is Taiwan’s first light rail, and its construction also presents a completely new challenge. Since construction began last June, parts of the plant within the light rail depot, the foundation piles of Chenggong Bridge and Love River Bridge, as well as the track bed pipe clusters and roadbed along the Kaisyuan Road corridor, have been partially completed. After the track is laid, work on electrical, signaling, and communication systems can begin, along with the installation of green turf to shape a green track.

Chen Chu said that Kaohsiung is entering a new era of comprehensive public transport. The total project cost for the light rail is NT$16.3 billion, with the central government subsidizing about NT$6.1 billion and the city government self-raising approximately NT$10.1 billion. With the professional collaboration of Spain’s CAF company and Chang Hung Construction Co., Ltd., she hopes the light rail can begin test runs in September as scheduled and up to standard. Light rail is an effective carbon-reduction transport option with relatively reasonable construction costs, and plans are underway to develop a second or third line with different colors in the future. The feasibility study for the extension of the Kaohsiung MRT Gangshan-Shuzhu (R24) line to Gangshan Railway Station has been approved by the National Development Council, and various public transport plans are progressing simultaneously.

▲ Illustration of Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail train (Photo / fromKaohsiung UnbelievableFan page)

The Kaohsiung MRT Bureau stated that the tracks for the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail project adopt an embedded track design. The steel rails are grooved and wrapped with elastic materials that support and cover both sides and the bottom of the rails, effectively reducing noise and vibration. The entire line uses grass-embedded tracks to increase green space and create a high-quality landscape, integrating the light rail system seamlessly into urban traffic.