The Airport MRT will open for public "free trial rides" starting tomorrow. Check out these 4 essential tips for securing a ride first!

▲Starting February 16, the Airport MRT is open for public free trial rides. (Photo / Reporter Lee Yuk-kang)

Reported by Lai Wen-xuan / Taipei

The Airport MRT began trial operations on February 2, with group trial rides available in the first two weeks. Starting tomorrow (February 16), it will enter the "free trial ride" phase open to all members of the public. Taoyuan Metro has planned that from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, as long as you queue up on-site to draw a trial ride number, the public can freely access all stations for rides, including both express and regular trains. Taoyuan Metro welcomes everyone to come queue for a number and experience the Airport MRT starting tomorrow.

▲During the free trial ride period, the public can freely ride both regular and express trains by simply queuing to draw a number. (Photo / Reporter Lee Yuk-kang)

1. Trial Ride Period: Number draw opens daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From February 16 to March 1, the public can enjoy free trial rides between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, while nighttime hours are reserved for equipment and system maintenance and improvements. Those participating in the free trial do not need to make a reservation. Simply visit any of the 21 stations along the Airport MRT line, queue up on-site to draw a trial ride number for the day, and you can freely access all stations for a free ride. Both express and regular trains are available for trial.

2. Number Issuance Times: 7:40 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m., and 1:40 p.m. daily
Numbers are issued at all stations during four time slots daily: 7:40 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m., and 1:40 p.m. The total number of riders is controlled at around 20,000 people per day, allowing for approximately 40,000 rides, but this will be flexibly adjusted based on the number of people entering and exiting each station. Children under 6 years old ride free; those aged 6 and above may collect one number per person.

▲During the free trial ride period, passengers can freely access all stations after receiving a stamp. (Photo / Reporter Lee Yuk-kang)

3. Free Trial Ride Process for the Public:
1. Queue up at the station
2. Collect a number to enter the station
3. Get a hand stamp for free access

After queuing up to receive a number, the number will be collected upon entry, and a hand stamp will be given upon exit. Once inside, passengers can freely ride either regular or express trains and can re-enter the station using their hand stamp after exiting.

▲Passengers who have checked in online do not need to draw a number and can freely try the ride. (Photo / Reporter Lee Yuk-kang)

4. Passengers checking in at A1 Station do not need to queue for a number
Outbound passengers who check in at A1 Station do not need to queue up for a number. After completing the check-in procedure, staff will issue an Airport MRT ride voucher to ensure that passengers who have checked in and are leaving the country can enter the station and ride.

Taoyuan Metro stated that at A1 Taipei Station, which has the largest station structure, about 1,200 numbers are issued per time slot during the free trial period. The distribution points are divided into two locations: mainly at Exit 1 on the ground floor of A1 Station, where about 800 numbers are issued per time slot. Because the queueing area there can accommodate more people and considering public safety and comfort, Exit 1 is set as the main queueing area.

The second location is the B1 connecting level (in front of the station’s artwork “Bamboo Forest and Flowing Water”) that connects to Taipei Main Station, where only 400 numbers are issued per time slot. Due to the stairs and limited queueing space near the connecting passage, only 400 people can be accommodated for safety and order, making it the secondary queueing area. Those exceeding the limit will be encouraged to go to the main queueing area at Exit 1 to get a number.