The green and refreshing style of Taichung Metro's articulated train cars, manufactured in Japan, has sparked discussion.

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department, compiled and reported

The first articulated train car has been assembled at the Kobe factory in Japan, undergoing testing operations, and the factory completion ceremony was held on January 10. The manufacturer, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (abbreviated as KHI), held the train car factory completion ceremony at its Hyogo Factory, marking an important milestone in the Taichung Metro Green Line electromechanical system project. The metro Green Line is expected to purchase 18 articulated trains, each consisting of two cars, with gangways between the cars allowing passengers to move through.

Each metro car is approximately 22.17 meters long, 2.98 meters wide, and 3.78 meters high. The total length of the train is about 44.34 meters, with a passenger capacity of approximately 536 people (about 268 per car). The vehicle type is steel rail and steel wheel, with a stainless steel body. The operating speed, including stops and acceleration, averages 35 km/h, with a maximum cruising speed of up to 70 km/h. The system adopts fully automatic, driverless operation.

Features of the train cars:

1. Exterior design concept based on "new sprouts blooming"

The front of the train features a streamlined shape, creating a light and brisk impression. The body retains the original stainless steel color, paired with windows and green trim, giving the train a more modern feel.

2. Interior with a "bright and simple" color scheme

The floor and seat colors inside the car feature a green gradient, while priority seats are designed in pink, creating a soft and vibrant spatial feel throughout the car. The innovative S-shaped stainless steel handrails further add liveliness to the interior space.

The first articulated train is expected to arrive at the Taichung Metro Green Line Beitun Depot in mid-February. It is estimated that by the end of 2017, 17 more articulated trains will be successively delivered to the Beitun Depot. After preparation, a series of functional tests and validations for the train cars will begin.

The Wuri–Wenxin–Beitun Metro line has a total length of approximately 16.7 kilometers, starting from near the No. 2 Bridge on Songzhu Road in Beitun District to the east, and extending south to the Taichung High-Speed Rail Station area. The line includes a total of 18 stations, with trial operations scheduled for 2018 (107 in Taiwan’s calendar) and an expected opening in 2020 (109 in Taiwan’s calendar).