No more just beeps anymore！Famous musicians create exclusive tunes for 5 MRT stations

▲ Passengers can also enjoy the ambient music inside the stations. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taipei Soundscapes Project was initiated last year. In addition to replacing the MRT turnstile beeping sounds with piano tones and adding transfer and terminal station audio prompts in train carriages, the project also invited musicians such as Chen Chieng-Chi and Lei Guangxia to design platform entry music for four MRT lines. About a year on, reactions have been mixed—some passengers say the sound quality and noise levels are poor, while others praise the melodious tunes that replace mechanical sounds.

This fourth installment of the project features well-known musicians creating distinctive music for five MRT stations, each piece played once a day for about 10 to 15 minutes. At Tamsui Station, passengers can hear “Song of the Blue Sea,” composed by singer Chen Jian-Nian, reflecting the area’s cultural vibes; the Red Band blends traditional Chinese instruments with electronic music, echoing the blend of classic and modern at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the National Theater and Concert Hall. Within Da’an Forest Park Station and around its outdoor fountain corridor, composer Liu Jiling’s soothing and upbeat melodies can be enjoyed. At Xiaobitan Station, commuters can take in the view of the Xindian River while listening to the elegant cello performance by Liu Han; and at Zhongshan Junior High School Station, which aligns with the nearby Freedom Lane commemorating Deng Nan-jung, singer Lin Qiang’s composition themed around “freedom” is played.

The Department of Cultural Affairs stated that due to installation delays at Zhongshan Junior High School Station, the other four stations officially launched the music on the 31st, with each track played every hour for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, allowing MRT riders to experience Taipei through sound.

▲ Both inside Da’an Forest Park Station and the outdoor fountain corridor area feature light and popular melodies. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-Zhong)