Jump to content

Taiwan High Speed Rail

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Taiwan HSR)

For rail transport in Taiwan generally, see Rail transport in Taiwan. For high-speed rail in the People's Republic of China (PRC), see High-speed rail in China.
Taiwan High Speed Rail
A THSR 700T train running Taiwan High Speed Rail line
A THSR 700T train running Taiwan High Speed Rail line
Overview
Native nameChinese: 台灣高鐵
OwnerTaiwan High Speed Rail Corporation[a]
Area servedTaiwan (main island only)
Transit typeHigh-speed railway
Number of lines1
Number of stations12
Annual ridership81,882,961 (2023) Increase 61.8%
Websitethsrc.com.tw
Operation
Began operationJanuary 5, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-01-05)
Operator(s)Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation
CharacterElevated, Underground, At-grade
Technical
System length350 km (220 mi)
No. of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV 60 Hz AC from overhead catenary
Top speed300kph (186mph)
Route map

Legend
km
Western Trunk line
Xizhi Depot
南港
-3.3
 Nangang
0.0
台北
5.9
 Taipei
Xindian River
板橋
13.1
 Banqiao
Add→{{rail-interchange}}
Dahan River
Western Trunk line
Hueilung Tunnel
Linkou Tunnel
桃園
42.3
 Taoyuan
Western Trunk line
Hukou Tunnel
新竹
72.2
 Hsinchu
Taiwan Railway
Western Trunk line
Liujia line
 Liujia
Liujia Maintenance Base
Touqian River
Neiwan line
Western Trunk line
Western Trunk line
苗栗
104.9
 Miaoli
Fengfu
Miaoli Tunnel
 Xinwuri
台中
165.7
 Taichung
 metro 
Western Trunk line
Wurih Depot
Dadu River
Baguashan Tunnel
Western Trunk line
彰化
193.9
 Changhua
Zhuoshui River
雲林
218.5
 Yunlin
Taibao Maintenance Base
嘉義
251.6
 Chiayi
Western Trunk line
台南
313.9
 Tainan
Shalun
Shalun line
Western Trunk line
Erren River
Yanchao Workshop
Zuoying Depot
Western Trunk line
左營
345.2
 Zuoying
Western Trunk line
This diagram:
Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation
Traditional Chinese台灣高速鐵路
Simplified Chinese台湾高速铁路
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTáiwān gāosù tiělù
Southern Min
Hokkien POJTâi-oân Ko-sok Thih-lō͘
Tâi-lôTâi-uân Ko-sok Thih-lōo
Taiwan High Speed Rail
Traditional Chinese台灣高鐵
Simplified Chinese台湾高铁
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTáiwān gāotiě
Southern Min
Hokkien POJTâi-oân Ko-thih
Tâi-lôTâi-uân Ko-thih

Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is the high-speed railway network in Taiwan, which consists of a single line that runs approximately 350 km (217 mi) along the western coast of the island, from the capital Taipei in the north to the southern city of Kaohsiung. With construction and operations managed by a private company, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC), which also operates the line, the total cost of the project was NT$513.3 billion in 1998.[2] The system's technology is based primarily on Japan's Shinkansen.

The railway opened for service on 5 January 2007, with trains running at a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), currently running from Nangang to Zuoying in as little as 1 hour and 45 minutes, reaching almost 90% of Taiwan's population. Most intermediate stations on the line lie outside the cities served; however, a variety of transfer options, such as free shuttle buses, conventional rail, and metros have been constructed to facilitate transport connections.

Ridership initially fell short of forecasts, but grew from fewer than 40,000 passengers per day in the first few months of operation to over 129,000 passengers per day in June 2013.[3] Daily passenger traffic reached 130,000 in 2014, well below the forecast of 240,000 daily passengers for 2008.[4] The system carried its first 100 million passengers by August 2010 and over 200 million passengers had taken the system by December 2012,[5] followed by 400 million by December 2016.[6] THSR, or railways in general, is only located on the main island of Taiwan. Outer islands under the control of the ROC government including Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu do not have railways.

In the initial years of operation, THSRC accumulated high debts due to high depreciation charges and interest, largely due to the financial structure set up for the private company. In 2009, THSRC negotiated with the government to change the method of depreciation from depending on concessions on rights to ridership.[7] At the same time, the government also started to help refinance THSRC's loans to assist the company so it could remain operational and profitable.[8] The government injected NT$30 billion as a financial bailout, boosting the government's stake to about 64% from about 37%.[4] The government also extended the rail concession from 35 years to 70 years and terminated the company's build-operate-transfer business model.[9]

History

[edit]

Taiwan's rapid economic growth during the latter half of the twentieth century led to congestion of highways, conventional rail, and air traffic systems in the western transport corridor, which threatened to impede the region's development.[10][11]: 125  The idea of a new high-speed rail line arose in the 1970s,[10] and informal planning began in 1980.[12] In 1987, the executive branch of Taiwan's government, the Executive Yuan, instructed the Ministry of Transportation to launch a feasibility study for a high-speed rail line in the western Taiwan corridor,[10] which was completed in 1990.[13] The study found that in a comparison of potential solutions to traffic problems in the corridor, a high-speed rail line would offer the highest transit volume, lowest land use, highest energy savings, and least pollution.[10] In July 1990 the Preparation Office of High Speed Rail (POHSR) was established[10] and a route was selected in 1991.[12] Plans for the THSR were subsequently approved by the Executive Yuan in June 1992[10] and by Taiwan's legislature, the Legislative Yuan, in 1993.[13]

Build-Operate-Transfer

[edit]
The 1998 Eurotrain demonstrator train in Germany. Originally Eurotrain was the preferred technology – German ICE motive power and French TGV rolling stock – but following the ICE disaster at Eschede and a soft loan offer from the Japanese Government, Shinkansen technology was adopted.

In November 1994, Taiwan passed a law regarding the use of private finance in infrastructure projects, which also applied to the up-to-then state-run THSR project.[10] Consequently, in 1995, POHSR was transformed into the Bureau of High Speed Rail (BOHSR), which started to tender THSR as a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme in October 1996.[10][13]

The bidding process pitted Taiwan High Speed Rail Consortium (THSRC) against the Chunghwa High Speed Rail Consortium (CHSRC). THSRC's bid was based on the high-speed technology platform of Eurotrain, a joint venture between GEC-Alsthom, the main maker of the French TGV, and Siemens, the main maker of the German ICE, while CHSRC's bid was based on Japanese Shinkansen technology supplied by Taiwan Shinkansen Consortium (TSC), a joint venture of Japanese companies.[14] THSRC, which submitted the lower bid and promised to build the line with zero net cost from the government, was chosen as the preferred bidder in September 1997.[14] The group was renamed and formally established as the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) in May 1998.[15][16][17] THSRC and the government signed the BOT agreement on 23 July 1998.[18]

However, controversy arose during rolling-stock selection. In May 1999, as THSRC faced difficulties in raising capital, the government of Japan promised soft loans if THSRC switched to TSC.[19] Although Eurotrain promised to match TSC's financial proposal, the Eschede train disaster in combination with TSC offering the newer 700 Series Shinkansen, convinced THSRC to reopen its core system bid, ultimately resulting in TSC selected as the preferred rolling-stock supplier in December 1999. Although Eurotrain eventually conceded in the bid, in February 2001 it filed for a US$800 million damage claim against THSRC at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. After a lengthy arbitration process, the court ruled in March 2004 that THSRC should pay a compensation for the US$32.4 million Eurotrain spent on development and US$35.7 million for unjust enrichment.[20] THSRC agreed to pay US$65 million (US$89 million with interest) to Eurotrain in November 2004.[21]

Construction

[edit]

Construction of the line by THSRC officially started in March 1999.[22] Tunnels and other major civil engineering works were completed by 2004,[23] along with the first delivery of the 700T trains.[24] Testing and commissioning of the line then took place in 2005 and 2006,[25] with a maximum testing speed of 315 kilometres per hour (196 mph) achieved in October 2005.[26]

Opening

[edit]
Taiwan High Speed Rail map, as of 2022

The railway was opened in 2007,[27] with limited commercial services between Banqiao and Zuoying stations from January 5,[28][29] with full service from Taipei Station to Kaohsiung from May 2007.[30]

Three additional stations located along the line – Miaoli, Changhua and Yunlin – opened in 2015.[31]

Southern extension

[edit]

On 10 September 2019, the Executive Yuan announced that the railway would be expanded to Pingtung. Out of four proposed route options, it was confirmed on 27 September that the expansion would bypass central Kaohsiung, branching from Zuoying east towards western Pingtung City, near Liukuaicuo, with an estimated cost of NT$55.4 billion. Although lowest in cost, the option was met with criticism regarding its economic benefits.[32][33]

The extension to Pingtung was approved by Premier Su Tseng-chang in January 2023, with opening of the extension planned for 2029.[34][35]

Northern extension

[edit]

The line was extended 9.2 km (5.7 mi) from Taipei to Nangang, opening in July 2016.[36]

On 25 October 2019, the Railway Bureau published an assessment report to extend the line further from Taipei to Yilan, cutting travel time to 13 minutes.[37] The 56.4 km (35.0 mi) extension was approved in October 2020,[38] and is planned to open by 2030.[39]

Rolling stock

[edit]

THSR 700T

[edit]
Main article: THSR 700T
Nose profile of the 700T train

Taiwan High Speed Rail started operation with 30 THSR 700T trainsets supplied by a consortium led by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[24][40] In response to increasing ridership and new stations that would begin operation in 2015, THSRC signed the contract for four new 700T trainsets with the Kawasaki consortium in May 2012 in Tokyo, Japan.[41][42] The first (TR 31) trainset was delivered to Taiwan on 23 December 2012; the second (TR 32) on 21 January 2013; the third (TR33) on 25 January 2014; the fourth (TR34) on 12 August 2015.[43][44]

The THSR 700T trainset is based on the 700 Series Shinkansen trainset used by JR Central and JR West in Japan.[45] This marked the first time Shinkansen technology was exported to a foreign country,[46] and it involved "rolling stock derived from a JR Central design running on both the European and Japanese track systems."[47] Customization was focused on adapting to Taiwan's climate and geography, and the nose shape was optimized for tunnels wider than those in Japan.[40][45][48]

The maximum service speed of the trains was raised from the 700 Series Shinkansen's 285 to 300 km/h (177 to 186 mph).[48] The 12 cars of a 700T train are grouped in three traction units with three power cars and one trailer each,[45] providing 10.26 MW (13,760 hp) of power;[49] both end cars are trailers to avoid slip on powered bogies.[45] The train is 304 m (997 ft 5 in) long and has a mass of 503 t (554 short tons) when empty.[49] The trains have a passenger capacity of 989 seats in two classes: 66 seats in 2+2 configuration in the single Business Car and 923 seats in 2+3 configuration in the eleven Standard Cars.[40] The per capita energy consumption of a fully loaded 700T train is 16% of that of private cars and half that of buses; carbon dioxide emissions are 11% of private cars and a quarter that of buses.[13]

N700S

[edit]
Main article: N700S Series Shinkansen

In the late 2010s, THSRC began work to purchase additional high speed trains, in light of growing demand.[50] 12 trains would be ordered, at a cost of around NT$30 billion.[50] Due to the limited number of Japanese companies who build Shinkansen rolling stock, it took several years for THSRC to agree an acceptable deal.[51][52] In 2022, it was reported that THSRC was speaking to European train manufacturers instead, as the price offered by Japanese companies was "unreasonable".[53]

In March 2023, it was announced that a joint bid by Hitachi and Toshiba had been awarded the contract. Twelve of the latest generation of Shinkansen train—the N700S Series—would be delivered at a cost of NT$28 billion.[54][52]

Engineering trains

[edit]
The DD16 locomotive as used by THSRC
The former 0 series end car used for clearance checking

THSRC uses overhead line inspection trains from Windhoff, Harsco railgrinders, Plasser & Theurer track tampers, and several ex-JR rolling stock to maintain its line.[55] Among the latter include the JNR Class DD14 and JNR Class DD16 diesel-hydraulic locomotives, which were originally used for snowploughing by JR. The two ex-JR locomotives with THSRC are equipped with Shinkansen-style rotary couplers and standard-gauge bogies instead of the original 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge bogies and knuckle couplers and are used for shunting the 700T trainsets within the depot. THSRC also uses a former 0 Series Shinkansen end car as a structure gauge test car.

Operation

[edit]

As the first high speed railway system in Taiwan, THSRC started operation in 2007 with many foreign employees, including French and German train drivers and operation controllers in the Operation Control Center (OCC).[56] At the same time, THSRC also started to train local drivers and controllers. Since May 2008, all controllers working in the OCC have been Taiwanese, and since October 2008, all train drivers have been Taiwanese.[57]

The OCC's main responsibility is to maintain safe train operations. THSRC has 132 controllers (July 2012), of which about one quarter are female, working 24 hours per day and 365 days per year in the OCC. Requirements for becoming a Chief Controller (主任控制員) include experience in all nine OCC positions, 300-hours of on-the-job training and acquiring qualification.[58]

THSRC has 144 drivers (July 2012), of which almost 10% are female. All driver candidates must spend 8 months completing 1,326 hours of professional training and pass the National Certification before they can drive the train. In addition, after becoming a certified high-speed train driver, they undergo further on-the-job training at least three times each year in order to guarantee they can drive the train safely.[58]

Natural disasters

[edit]

Taiwan frequently faces multiple types of natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides. For this reason, a primary focus of THSRC's infrastructure design was how to respond to natural disasters such as earthquakes[59] and how to ensure safety for all passengers and trains in any emergency situation.[60]

THSRC has established a system to respond to natural disasters and unexpected intrusion onto the right-of-way, called DWS (Disaster Warning Systems).[60] This system consists of a network of sensors installed along the rail route to detect unexpected situations such as earthquakes, strong winds, heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, and intrusions. In case of an unexpected situation, the DWS will send signals to the OCC (Operation Control Center) immediately; it will also activate contingency measures to ensure the safety of the passengers and trains, including decelerating or stopping trains in the affected area.[59]

The DWS has functioned successfully since its initial operation in 2007. The most powerful earthquake that THSRC has experienced measured 6.4 on the Richter Scale with an epicenter 17 km (11 mi) from Jiaxian, Kaohsiung that shook southern Taiwan on 4 March 2010 (甲仙地震). One operating train was slightly derailed in Sinshih, Tainan, and six trains were stopped on the track. In spite of the temporary suspension of operations, there was no damage or casualties. All 2,500 affected passengers were evacuated in two hours without injury. Service resumed the next day.[8] Such a record was well noted, and provided valuable experience in operational safety to the global railway industry.[8]

In April 2010, it was reported that subsidence had been observed during construction on a 6 km (3.7 mi) viaduct section in Yunlin County.[61] The subsidence continued, reaching up to 55 cm (22 in) over seven years.[62] By 2010 subsidence had slowed, which was ascribed to the closure of some deep groundwater wells operating in the region. Although the situation was deemed safe with differential settlement between adjacent piers along the viaduct at only a sixth of the permissible level, the BOHSR urged the closure of more wells.[62][63] On 25 July 2011, the government announced plans to close almost 1,000 wells in Changhua and Yunlin counties, reducing the amount of water pumped from deep wells by 210,000,000 tonnes (2.1×1011 kg) by 2021.[64]

Service

[edit]
Standard Car interior
Standard Car riders on a northbound train

According to THSR's July 2018 timetable,[65] there are 989 train services per week of operation, with operation times between 05:50 to 24:00 every day. Most southbound trains originate from Nangang station and most northbound trains originate from Zuoying; however, a few trains operate just between Nangang and Taichung or between Taichung and Zuoying. Southbound trains are designated by odd train numbers, and northbound trains by even train numbers.[66]

Each train consists of 1 business car (car 6) and 11 standard cars (including reserved seats and non-reserved seats). Since July 2010, non-reserved seats are available in cars 10 through 12 (some trains available in cars 9 through 12 or available in cars 8 through 12 ). Car 7 of each train is fitted with 4 wheelchair accessible chairs and a disabled-friendly restroom. Passengers can call THSR's Customer Service Hot Line at (Taiwan) 4066-3000 or visit any THSR station ticket window to reserve these seats.[66]

By August 2012, implementation of 4G WiMAX on-board trains is expected to provide smooth wireless broadband services, making THSR the first high-speed ground transportation system equipped with this service.[67]

In 2012, THSRC rated highly in the CommonWealth Magazine (天下雜誌) "Golden Service Award survey" (金牌服務大賞), not only far outpacing all rivals in the "long-distance land transport" category, but also taking the top spot in the overall rankings of 300 industries.[68]

Local connections

[edit]

To improve local public transit connections to THSR stations, the TRA built two new spur lines branching off from West Coast Line.

Code Name Chinese Taiwanese Hakka Connecting services and Notes Distance (km)[71][72] Type[13] Location
NAG 01 Nangang 南港 Lâm-káng Nàm-kóng Taiwan Railway West Coast Line (097)
(BL22) 		−3.2 underground Nangang Taipei
TPE 02 Taipei 台北 Tâi-pak Thòi-pet Taiwan Railway West Coast Line (100)
(R10) and (BL12)
(A1 Taipei Main) 200 m 		6.1 underground Zhongzheng
BAQ 03 Banqiao 板橋 Pang-kiô Piông-khièu Taiwan Railway West Coast Line (102)
(BL07) and (Y16) 		13.1 underground Banqiao New Taipei
TAY 04 Taoyuan 桃園 Thô-hn̂g Thò-yèn (A18 Taoyuan HSR)
Airport Shuttle Bus 		42.3 underground Zhongli Taoyuan
HSC 05 Hsinchu 新竹 Sin-tek Sîn-tsuk Taiwan Railway Liujia Line (240 Liujia) 72.2 elevated Zhubei Hsinchu
MIL 06 Miaoli 苗栗 Biâu-le̍k Mèu-li̍t Taiwan Railway Taichung Line (136 Fengfu) 104.9 elevated Houlong Miaoli
TAC 07 Taichung 台中 Tâi-tiong Thòi-chûng Taiwan Railway Taichung Line (280 Xinwuri)
Taichung Metro (119 Xinwuri) 		165.7 elevated Wuri Taichung
CHH 08 Changhua 彰化 Chiong-hoà Chông-fa 193.9 elevated Tianzhong Changhua
YUL 09 Yunlin 雲林 Hûn-lîm Yùn-lìm 218.5 elevated Huwei Yunlin
CHY 10 Chiayi 嘉義 Ka-gī Kâ-ngi Chiayi Bus Rapid Transit Chiayi BRT 251.6 elevated Taibao Chiayi
TAN 11 Tainan 台南 Tâi-lâm Thòi-nàm Taiwan Railway Shalun Line (284 Shalun) 313.9 elevated Gueiren Tainan
ZUY 12 Zuoying 左營 Chó-iâⁿ Chó-yàng Taiwan Railway West Coast Line (288 Xinzuoying)
(R16 Zuoying/THSR) 		345.2 ground level Zuoying Kaohsiung

Stop patterns

[edit]

With a few exceptions, the services follow the below pattern.

Code[b] Number[c] Category Nangang Taipei Banqiao Taoyuan Hsinchu Miaoli Taichung Changhua Yunlin Chiayi Tainan Zuoying Service proportion
D 6xx, 16xx Semi-fast train (frog mode) ▲[d] ● ● ● ● － ● － － ● ● ● 36.0%
F 8xx Stopping train ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 22.7%
B 1xx, 11xx Fast train (direct to Zuoying) ● ● ● － － － ● － － － － ● 20.5%
B' 2xx, 12xx Fast train (call at Tainan mode) ▲[e] ● ▲[f] ○[g] － － ● － － ○[h] ● ● 9.2%
E 5xx, 15xx Stopping train (local mode) ● ● ● ● ● ● ●  N/A 8.7%
 N/A ● ● ● ● ● ●
C 3xx, 13xx Semi-fast train
(half-express mode) 		▲[i] ● － ● － － ● ● ● ● ● ● 2.9%
as of July 2019; ●: Trains stop at station; ○: Section trains stop at station; ▲: Section Trains skip station; －: Trains skip station

Ticket fare and discount

[edit]
THSRC Early Bird Ticket Promotion Event, 2011
Ticket vending machine in Taipei Main Station

As of January 2018, a one-way Taipei–Zuoying trip, a THSR standard car adult ticket is NT$1490, and a business car ticket fare is NT$1950.[66] The cost of a non-reserved seat is approximately 3% less than the regular price. Business and standard car reserved ticket reservations are available 28 days prior to the date of departure (including the departure day).[66]

Senior citizens (Taiwan citizens above 65 years of age), registered disabled persons plus one accompanying passenger (Taiwan citizens only), and children (passengers under 12 years of age) are eligible for concession (half price) tickets.[66]

A group discount is offered for groups of 11 or more. A group discount cannot be used in combination with other discount offers and does not include non-reserved seats. Passengers eligible for multiple discounts can only choose one discount offer.[66][73][74]

Since 1 July 2010, a smart card system has provided frequent travelers with multi-ride (eight trips) or periodic tickets. THSR's contact-less smart cards allow the cardholder to travel between specific stations within a given time period for a certain number of rides. The card is sold in either registered (name-bearing) or non-registered form. Only adult tickets are available in this format, and cannot be used for rides between Banqiao and Taipei.

After purchasing or adding value to a multi-ride card, the card balance is valid for 45 days counted from the day of first use. The ticket is good for 8 rides. The multi-ride card provides a discount of about 21% off the full fare of a reserved Standard Seat. Non-registered and registered multi-ride tickets can be purchased at the ticket windows of all THSRC stations. Upon first purchase of a multi-ride ticket, a card deposit fee of NT$100 is required (refundable if the card is returned). The registered multi-ride ticket is limited to personal use by the registered cardholder.[75][76] Since November 2012, an Early Bird discount of 35% has been offered for a limited number of tickets sold no later than 8 days before the departure date. If the 35% off tickets sell out before the deadline, tickets with a discount of 20% off are offered. If these tickets sell out before the deadline, tickets with a discount of 10% off are offered. If all early bird tickets are sold out, then full fare tickets are offered.[77]

Train frequency

[edit]
THSRC train frequencies
Daily, weekly frequency of normal scheduled THSRC train services. Extra trains during holidays and cancellations due to extraordinary events not shown.
Train frequencies
in timetable valid from 8 October 2018[65][78]
Direction Trains per day Trains per week
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Southbound 63 64 82 75 76 488
Northbound 69 68 80 70 86 509
Both directions 132 162 145 162 997

THSRC operates additional train services during national holidays.[79] On 29 June 2011, a proposal by THSRC to increase the maximum number of train services to 210 per day (compared to the existing 175 per day) passed an environmental impact assessment, increasing the number of possible services on "high-load days".[80]

Ridership

[edit]
THSRC ridership evolution
Monthly averages of daily THSRC ridership

Original estimates predicted a daily ridership of 180,000 after launch, growing to 400,000 by 2036.[81] In view of a 50% drop in airline passengers in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, forecasts were revised downwards.[13] The final initial ridership estimate was 140,000 passengers per day.[82] Actual initial ridership did not match these projections. In September 2007, six months after opening, THSRC carried 1.5 million passengers monthly,[83] translating to about 50,000 passengers daily. In the second year, passenger numbers almost doubled.[84] In the third year, average daily ridership continued to grow to 88,000 passengers per day, jumping to over 120,000 passengers per day in 2012. (updated to September 2012)[85][86] Seat occupancy was around 45% in the first three years, with a modest improvement achieved in 2009, and reached 53.91% in 2012. (updated to September 2012)[87] Punctuality is stable above 99%.[88]

Annual traffic figures[89]
Year Ridership Seat-km Passenger-km Seat occupancy(%): Train-km Passenger Car km Punctuality
(less than 5 mins)
2007 15,558,356 7,838,644,289 3,520,173,426 44.91 7,925,828 95,109,936 99.47%
2008 30,581,261 15,089,499,008 6,566,119,575 43.51 15,257,330 183,087,960 99.19%
2009 32,349,260 14,821,653,184 6,863,960,208 46.31 14,986,505 179,838,060 99.25%
2010 36,939,596 15,296,119,539 7,491,019,590 48.97 15,466,248 185,594,976 99.21%
2011 41,629,303 15,781,051,602 8,147,869,493 51.63 15,956,574 191,478,888 99.87%
2012 44,525,754 15,829,068,364 8,641,573,257 54.59 16,005,125 192,061,500 99.40%
2013 47,486,229 15,858,327,738 9,118,060,276 57.50 16,034,710 192,416,520 99.38%
2014 48,024,758 16,167,495,855 9,235,162,292 57.12 16,347,317 196,167,804 99.61%
2015 50,561,954 16,186,948,588 9,654,960,687 59.65 16,366,984 196,403,808 99.66%
2016 56,586,210 16,512,526,628 10,488,339,832 63.52 16,696,185 200,354,220 99.43%
2017 60,571,057 17,040,173,121 11,103,358,620 65.16 17,229,700 206,756,400 99.72%
2018 63,963,199 17,249,709,128 11,558,787,218 67.01 17,441,565 209,298,780 99.43%
2019 67,411,248 17,629,990,176 11,994,452,919 68.03 17,826,078 213,912,936 99.88%
2020 57,238,942 17,407,300,140 9,912,062,318 56.94 17,626,356 211,516,272 99.72%
2021 43,459,558 15,175,274,282 7,568,787,566 49.88 15,532,523 186,390,276 98.75%
2022 54,162,008 17,516,589,784 9,338,060,508 53.31 17,928,956 215,147,472 99.47%
2023 73,086,668 17,779,654,904 12,564,568,569 70.67 18,198,214 218,378,568 99.57%

The 10-millionth passenger was carried after 265 days of operation on 26 September 2007,[83] while the 100-millionth passenger was carried after 1,307 days on 3 August 2010,[90] and 200-millionth by December 2012.[91] On 10 October 2011, the Double Ten Day holiday, THSRC transported a single-day record of 189,386 passengers. On 5 February 2011, the third day of Chinese New Year’s celebration, a new record of 190,596 passengers was achieved. The next single-day record was reached on 25 January 2012, also the third day of Chinese New Year's celebration, at 191,989 passengers. The most recent record is 212,000 passengers transported on 1 January 2013.[91]

The high-speed trains have successfully out-competed planes: by August 2008, half of the air routes between Taipei and the country's western cities had been discontinued, including all connections between cities with THSR stations except for a single daily connection between Taipei and Kaohsiung.[92][93] Total domestic air traffic was expected to be halved from 2006 to 2008,[92] and actually fell from 8.6 to 4.9 million.[94] In June 2012, officials announced the discontinuation of the last remaining commercial flight between Taipei and Kaohsiung.[95] The share for conventional rail between Taipei and Kaohsiung fell from 9.71% in 2006 to 2.5% in 2008, while high-speed rail became the most common mode of transport at 50% of all trips by 2008.[96] The opening of THSR led to a 10% reduction of traffic on the parallel expressway in 2007.[97] Despite cheaper ticket prices, long-distance bus companies reported that passenger volumes had fallen by 20 to 30 percent by 2008.[98]


Infrastructure

[edit]
About 70 percent of the line is on viaducts. Track is almost entirely ballastless on concrete, with components that limit noise emission.

Construction of the system took more than 2,000 professional engineers from 20 countries and over 20,000 foreign and domestic workers six years to complete.[99] Construction work was broken into several specialized lots that were contracted separately.[100] One group of contracts was for civil works, covering the construction of the superstructure of open line sections.[100] Stations and depots were the subject of separate groups of construction contracts.[100] A fourth group of contracts was for track work.[100][101]

The Taiwan North-South High Speed Rail Project was awarded the first prize for the Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Award by the Asian Civil Engineering Coordination Council (ACECC) in Sydney in 2010.[102]

In 2011, the Public Construction Commission (公共工程委員會) organized an on-line voting campaign that garnered over 330,000 votes, to select the 100 best infrastructure projects (百大建設) in Taiwan to celebrate the centennial of the Republic; Taiwan High Speed Rail topped the list.[103]

Track

[edit]
THSR train on test run
THSR train on a test run in June 2006. About 61 km (18 per cent of the route) is in tunnels; a large 90 m2 (970 sq ft) tunnel cross-section, as seen here, reduces sudden changes in air pressure experienced by passengers.

Reflecting a design speed of 350 km/h (217 mph),[104] track layout was designed with a minimum curve radius of 6,250 m (20,505 ft), track-centre distance of 4,500 mm (177.2 in),[13] right-of-way width of 18 m (59 ft 1 in), and a maximum gradient of 2.5%, except for 3.5% at one location.[105] All but 3 km (1.9 mi) of track is ballastless,[48] combining slab track of Japanese manufacture on open line sections with switches from a German supplier.[106][107] Track laying began in July 2003.[108] The line was electrified with the 25 kV/60 Hz AC system.[104] The signalling and train control system was laid out for bi-directional operation according to European specifications.[106] Each track section has a checkpoint, and an automatic control system ensures that trains are spaced at least 1 km (0.62 mi) apart to prevent collisions.[109]

Most of the line is elevated.[104][110] About 251 km (156 mi) or 73% of the line runs on viaducts,[104] mostly precast pre-stressed concrete box girder spans,[110] the first of which was put in place in October 2001.[111]

The Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct is a 157,317 m (97.752 mi) continuous section from Baguashan (八卦山) in Changhua County to Zuoying in Kaohsiung. It was the second longest bridge in the world as of 2017.[99][112] Viaducts were designed to be earthquake resistant to allow for trains to stop safely during a seismic event and for repairable damage following a maximum design earthquake.[113] Bridges built over known fault lines were designed to survive fault movements without catastrophic damage.[114]

About 61 km (38 mi)[115] or 18% of the line is in tunnels, including 14 km (8.7 mi) of the TRUPO section in Taipei,[105] as well as 48 tunnels with a total length of 46,257 m (28.743 mi) on the other sections,[116] the longest of which is Paghuashan Tunnel, at a finished length of 7,364 m (24,160 ft).[117] Forty-two of the tunnels included a total of 39,050 m (24.265 mi) of mined sections, all of which were bored with the sequential excavation and support construction method, with excavated tunnel faces of 135–155 m2 (1,450–1,670 sq ft), between November 2000 and July 2003.[110] The finished interior cross-sectional area of 90 m2 (970 sq ft),[105] set according to wider European standards,[106] provides space for two tracks with safety walkways.[104]

After four months of delays, trial runs using the first THSR 700T trains began on 27 January 2005, on the Tainan–Kaohsiung section.[118] On 30 October 2005, a day after a test run passed the planned top service speed of 300 km/h (186 mph),[119] the targeted maximum test speed of 315 km/h (196 mph) was achieved.[120] The section between Banqiao (Taipei) and Zuoying (Kaohsiung) opened to the public on 5 January 2007.[121] The HSR platforms at Taipei Station opened on 2 March 2007, bringing the entire line into operation.[122]

Stations

[edit]

A distinctive feature of the system's station placement is that many are located at the periphery of urban areas, rather than within city centers. The decision was made with the expectation that the stations would act as centers for planned communities and thus increase the property values of the surrounding area. A study in 2010 showed that this isn't the case,[11]: 126–127  but later analyses show that property prices around certain stations have indeed risen.[123][124] Since the THSR's opening, cities have gradually expanded their mass transit systems to connect with these stations.

Environmental issues

[edit]
THSRC drafted the Hsinchu Old Camphor Tree Medical Plan, which called for the repair of decayed branches as well as measures designed to maintain the long-term growth and the health of the tree.

Environmental mitigation measures in the line's construction phase included the construction of animal bridges over the line, the planting and re-planting of trees along the track as noise screens,[48] and the purchase of farmland to create a preservation area for jacana birds away from the line.[125]

THSRC is involved in the preservation of the pheasant-tailed jacana, which is considered endangered in Taiwan. An artificial habitat recovery project was completed in collaboration with the local government, country development organizations and non-profit organizations for a cost of NT$50 million. In 2007, the recovery habitat was officially renamed the "Pheasant-tailed Jacana Eco-Educational Nature Park" and since then, it has opened to the public. THSRC arranges for elementary and junior high school students to visit the park annually.[126]

[127] A 330 year old camphor tree and a temple in Hsinchu County are located on the main route of the THSR, and both of them faced removal because of railway construction. The temple established beside the old tree serves as a major religious site for the local community.[citation needed] In 1998, THSRC adjusted the line and design to keep the tree and temple in their original place and cooperated with the local government and people to protect the old tree and the temple until today. Afterwards, together with the local government, the Environment and the Resources Protection Committee, and cultural and historical authorities, THSRC drafted the Hsinchu Old Camphor Tree Medical Plan, which called for the repair of decayed branches as well as measures designed to maintain the long-term growth and the health of the tree.[127][128]

Financial

[edit]

Revenue and cost

[edit]
Item 2007[129] 2008[130][131] 2009[131][132] 2010[132] 2011[133] 2012[134] 2013[135] 2014[136] 2015[136] 2016[136] 2017[137] 2018[138]
Ticket revenue(A) 13,155,221 22,441,012 22,800,753 27,025,822 31,556,782 33,263,223 42,221,888 44,098,796
Other operating revenue(B) 347,567 606,571 522,959 609,529 679,723 720,914
Operating revenue(C=A+B) 13,502,788 23,047,583 23,323,712 27,635,351 32,236,505 33,984,137 36,101,166 38,510,000 51,901,392 40,610,906 43,435,042 45,415,007
Depreciation −18,589,587 −18,994,251 −8,222,634 −9,411,998 −10,647,252 −11,206,236
Operating income −14,909,057 −6,238,553 5,564,846 9,071,545 12,058,405 12,095,229 11,394,464 11,880,000 20,556,496 13,699,496 17,754,984 19,144,964
Financial revenue 315,187 644,500 639,869 230,348 248,318 633,040
Interest −14,423,091 −17,464,896 −10,778,335 −8,912,483 −8,854,892 −8,737,156 −9,256,852 −8,375,559 −7,463,329 −6,618,272
Net pre-tax income −29,398,694 −25,009,697 −4,791,125 -1,210,889 5,783,743 3,956,828 2,710,000 2,660,000 18,833,835 4,997,575 6,478,500 7,311,823
Tax/tax refund −54 0 1,670 848 −2,597,914 −379,992 −579,439 2,038,795 −848,477 −1,138,595 3,384,558
Net income −29,398,748 −25,009,697 −4,789,455 −1,210,041 3,185,833 3,576,836 3,288,951 5,520,000 20,872,630 4,149,098 5,339,905 10,696,381
All figures are in thousands of NT$.

Most of THSRC's revenue comes from ticket sales; supplemental income comes from other activities such as advertising and renting spaces for standing shops and spots in plazas. Advertising spots on trains and station platforms have also been sold.[139] Revenues grew along with ridership over the first three years, but ridership remained below expectations. In 2008 the second year of operation, revenues fell barely short of THSRC's expectations a year earlier of a doubling of first-year results.[84][140]

The cost of running the trains and infrastructure, or cash operating costs, was initially over NT$1 billion a month,[141] but was reduced to around NT$850––900 million in 2008.[142] Revenues first exceeded this level, thus generating a positive operating cash flow, in the fourth month of operation (April 2007).[143]

For THSRC, the over heavy accounting of the fixed cost of fixed assets like rolling stock and infrastructure (depreciation) is a significant non-cash element of total operating costs. In its first two years of operation, THSRC applied straight-line depreciation, distributing costs evenly over a period of 26.5 years.[144] As a result, the balance of operating revenues and costs (operating income) showed a high loss in the first year of operation, which was only reduced as revenues grew in the second year. The depreciation period set for THSRC reflected the length of the B.O.T. concession rather than the much longer lifespan of the infrastructure,[144] and it is the factor for the operating loss.[145] After adopting an activity depreciation method which is variable in time,[146] THSRC posted its first operating profit for 2009, the third year of operation.[147] The company reported its first annual profit of NT$5.78 billion after five years of operation.[148]

For the first time in its five-year operation, the Company reported a net income of NT$5.78 billion, with earnings per share of NT$0.59.[101] Revenues increased by 16.65% from NT$27.64 billion to NT$32.24 billion, with operating costs and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) rising by only 4.98%. Over the same period of time, gross profit totaled NT$12.98 billion (an increase of 30.32%), income from operations totaled NT$12.06 billion (an increase of 32.93%) and EBITDA totaled NT$22.73 billion (an increase of 22.34%). 2011 gross profit, income from operation and EBITDA were all record highs.[101] Since commencing operations in 2007, THSRC has had a significant influence on Taiwan's economy and on the lives of its people. In 2011, the Company continued to pursue sustainable growth aligned with the interests of shareholders and society, achieving record profits even amid a challenging economic environment.[101]

The interest cost is another major item of this company's financing. In the first few years of operation, interest rates were well above market rates.[149][150] Interest expense per month stood at around NT$1.3 billion in 2008, when THSRC first achieved break-even cash flow, with revenue and cash expenses (which exclude depreciation) both around NT$2.1 billion in 2008.[142] Interest rates fell in the first half of 2009, reducing interest expenses[146] and contributing to a reduced net loss.[147]

In 2010, THSRC obtained a new syndicate loan to alleviate its imminent financial burden. The company signed a NT$382 billion refinancing contract with a consortium of eight domestic banks led by the Bank of Taiwan, and used the new loan to pay off the previous syndicated loan, which had higher interest.[8] As of 2011, the long-term debts totalling NT$385 billion included NT$26 billion in corporate bonds and NT$359 billion in bank loans. In comparison with the terms and conditions of previous loans, the refinancing debts carried lower interest rates and longer tenors, up to 22 years.[8]

Financial and loan

[edit]

In cumulative figures, until July 2008, depreciation and interest were equal to 95% of THSRC's accumulated debt.[150] Both THSRC[145] and a September 2009 government report[149] identified an unreasonable financial structure and the resulting high interest rates and high depreciation charges as the main causes of negative financial performance, while the government assessed THSRC to have performed well in its core business, as measured by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).[144] To reduce its interest load, THSRC sought to revise its loan structure in 2008[151] and again in 2009.[152][153] To reduce depreciation costs by increasing the amortization time, THSRC requested an extension of its 35-year concession period.[144]

By the summer of 2009, THSRC's cumulative losses were equivalent to two-thirds of its equity capital. In response to global financial crisis and domestic economic recession, THSRC proposed to increase income and reduce expenditures in several aspects in the hope of raising operation performances. In February 2009, THSRC announced to adjust train frequency, cut down salary payment by 10~20% among management level, and measured to expand fare promotion to stimulate ridership. While the media questioned whether the planned construction of three more intermediate stations and the extension to Nangang would be postponed, THSRC published press release on 28 September 2009, stating that the company will comply with "Taiwan High Speed. Rail Construction and Operation Contract", and the construction project of 3 intermediate stations, namely Miaoli, Changhua and Yunlin will be initiated in July 2012, and is scheduled to start its operation from 2015. By the time of completion, there will be a total of 12 stations along the THSRC operation route.[154] The company was put under new management in September 2009 with the aim of turning around the company's finances with government help in arranging refinancing of the loans.[155]

The government took majority control of the company after the election of its new board on 10 November 2009.[156] In January 2010, when accumulated losses already exceeded NT$70 billion, THSRC signed a government-guaranteed refinancing deal in which eight government-dominated banks provided NT$382 billion at lower interest rates and longer maturity.[157] The government also approved the company's new variable depreciation charge.[147]

Incidents

[edit]

On 12 April 2013, suspicious luggage items were found inside the North bound train No. 616 toilet when it was heading towards THSR Hsinchu Station. The train was stopped at THSR Taoyuan Station and all of the passengers were evacuated. Later, it was determined the luggage contained an unidentified liquid in cans, alarm clock and white particulate matter. The items were dismantled by the bomb squad and taken for further investigation. Two KMT legislators, Hsu Hsin-ying and Lu Shiow-yen, were on board.[158][159]

Part of the tracks near Tainan were badly damaged during the earthquake on 6 February 2016. All high-speed rail services south of Chiayi Station were suspended until 7 February 2016.

On 10 May 2017, a non-passenger carrying train traveled in the opposite direction of the track from Zuoying to Tainan for 1 km (0.62 mi) due to human negligence.[160]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the THSR, along with Taiwan Railway Administration and bus services nationwide, began to require all passengers to wear surgical masks as of 1 April. In addition, infrared sensors were set up at twelve stations to detect fevers, eating and drinking were prohibited on board the trains, trains and stations were disinfected more frequently, and the THSR cancelled all non-reserved seating tickets, which allowed for crowds of passengers to stand if no seats were available. It was reported that the switch to reserved seats only aimed to reduce crowding.[161][162]

Public relations activities

[edit]

THSRC conducts community engagement activities to raise its profile.

Since 2009, the company has organized an annual "Ride THSR and Join the Book Exhibition for Free" event to promote a national reading culture; school-age passengers from remote villages are given free admission to the Taipei International Book Exhibition and go there on a themed high-speed "reading train", which features a celebrity reading a book over the train's public address system.[101]

Since 2010, along with World Vision Taiwan, THSRC has run a tuition fee assistance program for thousands of underprivileged children, to which passengers contribute.[101]

Other events have been a cappella singers at stations; gift-giving to couples taking wedding photos at major stations; station tours for the public and experience-sharing with its fellow railway transportation operators; and in collaboration with non-profit organizations, thousands of free rides to underprivileged groups and families.[101]

Students at primary, secondary and tertiary level learn about high-speed rail and THSRC at "THSR Camps", held in partnership with the Railway Cultural Society of Taiwan, the National Chiao Tung University Railway Research Society, and the China Youth Corps.[101]

[edit]

The first film to feature THSR prominently was the 2007 Taiwanese movie Summer's Tail, directed by Cheng Wen-tang (鄭文堂).[163]

Railfan: Taiwan High Speed Rail, a 2007 train simulator video game developed jointly by Taiwanese company Actainment and Japanese company Ongakukan on the basis of the latter's Train Simulator series, featured real video and was the first Taiwanese game for Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation 3 system.[164] The "National Geographic" website chose travel by Taiwan's high speed train as the "Best winter trip” in 2013.[165]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ under a BOT concession until 2067[1]
  2. ^ These codes are used for statistical purposes.
  3. ^ 3-digit numbers indicate daily services, while 4-digit numbers indicate services on particular days of a week.
  4. ^ Service 696 does not call at Nangang, terminating at Taipei.
  5. ^ Service 203 skips Nangang, departing from Taipei.
  6. ^ Services 295 and 1202 skip Banqiao.
  7. ^ Service 295 calls at Taoyuan.
  8. ^ Services 203, 295, 1293 and 1202 call at Chiayi.
  9. ^ Service 1334 does not call at Nangang, terminating at Taipei.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "HSR Planning". www.hsr.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  2. ^ "計畫介紹". www.hsr.gov.tw (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  3. ^ Shan, Shelley (27 May 2007). "Local drivers pass high speed rail exams". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  4. ^ a b "'Shinkansen' operation a flop in Taiwan". Nikkei Asian Review. 5 November 2015. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  5. ^ "高鐵旅運12/17突破2億人次 新竹—台北定期票旅客幸運獲獎 (in Chinese)". THSRC website (Press release). 18 December 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  6. ^ "Taiwan high-speed rail ridership breaks 400 million mark – Focus Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  7. ^ press release, Bureau of High Speed Rail (18 November 2011). "針對媒體報導，就高鐵新增三站及高鐵折舊問題，高鐵局說明澄清(in Chinese)". MOTC, Taiwan. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d e Smith, Glenn (October 2011). "Into the black — how Taiwan turned around its troubled high-speed line". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  9. ^ Zhao, Eric (5 August 2015). "LPC-Taiwan's High Speed Rail Corp's lenders agree restructuring plan". Reuters. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h 台湾高速鉄道プロジェクト／日本連合受注経緯 (in Japanese). Nippon Export and Investment Insurance. May 2003. Archived from the original on 29 April 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  11. ^ a b Albalate, Daniel; Bel, Germa (14 June 2012). "Other Experiences". The Economics and Politics of High-Speed Rail : Lessons from Experiences Abroad. Lexington Books. pp. 113–133. ISBN 9780739171240 – via ProQuest Ebook Central.
  12. ^ a b Bradsher, Keith (4 January 2007). "Taiwan's Bullet Trains Can't Outrun Controversy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Shima, Takashi (August 2007). "Taiwan High Speed Rail" (PDF). Japan Railway & Transport Review (48): 40–46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  14. ^ a b "1997—THE YEAR THAT WAS—1997". Taiwan Journal. 3 October 1997. Retrieved 9 October 2010.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Stock Information". THSRC. Archived from the original on 8 May 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  16. ^ Yu, Peter Kien-hong; Jokull Johannesson (December 2010). "Near-bankruptcy of the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation: What Went Wrong?". International Journal of Business and Management. Canadian Center of Science and Education. Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  17. ^ Chang, Violet (1 October 1998). "Genesis of the HSR". Taiwan Today. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  18. ^ "Taiwan HSR deal signed". Railway Gazette International. Sutton, Surrey, UK. September 1998. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  19. ^ "Rays of hope for Shinkansen bullet train in Taiwan?". Kyodo News International. The Free Library. 3 June 1999. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  20. ^ "Eurotrain Consortium v. Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation". Analysis Group. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  21. ^ "Taiwan High Speed Rail to compensate railway consortium". Taipei Times. 27 November 2004. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
  22. ^ Su, Joy (5 May 2004). "High-speed rail on track". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  23. ^ Ho, Jessie (7 September 2005). "THSRC says high-speed rail runs late". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  24. ^ a b Ho, Jessie (26 May 2004). "Bullet trains arrive in Kaohsiung". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  25. ^ "High-speed rail set to begin speed tests next week". Taipei Times. 19 August 2005. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  26. ^ Ho, Jessie (7 November 2005). "Premier backs bullet train project during test ride". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2023. The Taiwan High-Speed Rail Corp (THSRC), builder of the high-speed rail system, reached its target of running the bullet train at a top speed of 315kph on Oct. 30.
  27. ^ Bradsher, Keith (4 January 2007). "Taiwan's Bullet Trains Can't Outrun Controversy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  28. ^ "First passengers ride Taiwan high speed line". Railway Gazette International. 1 February 2007. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  29. ^ Ho, Jessie; Lin, Jackie (6 January 2007). "High speed rail commences operations". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  30. ^ Jackson, Chris (29 November 2007). "Taiwan's high speed line takes off". Railway Gazette International. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  31. ^ Railway Bureau, MOTC (11 September 2019). "Railway Construction- HSR Planning- Taiwan High Speed Rail(HSR) Project". Railway Bureau, MOTC. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  32. ^ "Taiwan's Pingtung high-speed rail line ..." Taiwan News. 27 September 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  33. ^ DeAeth, Duncan (30 September 2019). "MOTC criticized by Taiwan public over THSR extension plan". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  34. ^ Strong, Matthew (4 January 2023). "Taiwan approves route for high-speed rail extension from Kaohsiung to Pingtung". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  35. ^ Cuenca, Oliver (13 January 2021). "Tendering for Taiwan high-speed extension to begin in April". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2023. the line currently scheduled to open in 2029.
  36. ^ "High speed services arrive at Nangang station". Railway Gazette International. 1 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  37. ^ "Taiwan High Speed Rail extension to Yilan cou..." Taiwan News. 23 October 2019. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  38. ^ "Taipei-Yilan high-speed line finalized – Taipei Times". taipeitimes.com. 15 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  39. ^ Cuenca, Oliver (13 January 2021). "Tendering for Taiwan high-speed extension to begin in April". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2023. a 56.4km northern extension of the high-speed line between Taipei's Nangang station and the northeastern coastal city of Yilan in October 2020. The line will include 11.4km of tunnels, and is expected to open to passengers by 2030.
  40. ^ a b c "Take a Ride on the Taiwan High Speed Rail" (PDF). Scope. Kawasaki Heavy Industries. January 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  41. ^ "THSRC to increase runs, buy more new cars: Ou Chin-der". Taipei Times. 22 November 2008. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  42. ^ 世昌, 陳 (25 May 2012). "THSRC Chairman Ou Chin-der signed a new contract with Kawasaki for four new trainsets. 歐晉德與川崎重工簽約購高鐵四車組(in Chinese)". Union Daily, 聯合新聞網. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  43. ^ "The first THSR new trainset on board at Dec.23台灣高鐵新購列車 第一組23日抵台(in Chinese)". THSRC website (Press release). 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  44. ^ "台灣高鐵第34組列車今（12）日運抵台灣 高安全、高運能、高準點 提升旅運服務". Taiwan High Speed Rail. 12 August 2015. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  45. ^ a b c d Ishizuka, Masashi (18 March 2008). "Shinkansen Technology Exportation" (PDF). 6th World Congress On high Speed Rail. UIC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  46. ^ "Company Overview". THSRC. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  47. ^ Tamaki, Taku (29 May 2023). "Railways as Japanese identity: Riding between confidence and inexperience". Contemporary Japan: 1–20. doi:10.1080/18692729.2023.2218015. ISSN 1869-2729.
  48. ^ a b c d "Taiwan High-Speed Rail Line Network". railway-technology.com. Net Resources International. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  49. ^ a b "700T Profile 高鐵列車". THSRC, WingMax International. Archived from the original on 5 May 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  50. ^ a b Morgan, Scott (18 June 2018). "HSR to add 12 new trains to fleet at cost of $NT30 billion". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  51. ^ Ryugen, Hideaki (16 March 2023). "Taiwan to buy bullet trains from Hitachi-Toshiba duo in $930m deal". Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  52. ^ a b "Taiwan concludes $1bn Shinkansen deal after four years of haggling". Global Construction Review. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  53. ^ Strong, Matthew (5 March 2022). "Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. turns away from Japanese train suppliers". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  54. ^ Thomson, Jono (18 March 2023). "Taiwan sticks with Japanese high-speed trains, confirms NT$28 billion purchase". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  55. ^ 蘇, 昭旭 (2014). 台灣鐵路火車百科：台鐵·高鐵·捷運 第三版. Taiwan: 人人出版. ISBN 9789865903404.
  56. ^ Jackie, Lin (26 January 2007). "High speed rail commences operations". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  57. ^ 鴻儒, 曾 (6 June 2012). "THSRC agreed pay US$65 million to Euortrain 高鐵特許年限 可能延長 (in Chinese), in the last paragraphs of this article writer mention: THSRC announced all the train drivers and controllers is finish the localization, and training to the first female chief controaller(高鐵宣佈，駕駛、行控中心已全由本土人力接手，還出現全球首位女性主任控制員；)". The Liberty Times, 自由時報. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  58. ^ a b 瑄愍, 朱 (13 June 2012). "Special Report of THSR OCC 高鐵行控中心分秒不打烊(in Chinese)". TSSNEWS(台灣新生報). Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  59. ^ a b "Taiwan High Speed Rail Earthquake Warning System" (PDF). The Taiwan-Japan Workshop on the Earthquake Early Warning System (abstract). NCDR. 4 September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  60. ^ a b website, THSRC. "乘車指南>安全須知>鐵路安全(in Chinese)". Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  61. ^ "High-speed rail company to release new cash plan". Taipei Times. CNA. 2 November 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  62. ^ a b "Officials insist high-speed rail safe despite subsidence". Taipei Times. 3 April 2010. Archived from the original on 11 June 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  63. ^ Peter Lin Sun, Chun-Chou Yang and Tai-Wai Lin (23 December 2010). "How to amend land subsidence treatment policies to solve coastal subsidence problems in Taiwan". Regional Environmental Change. 11 (3). Springer Berlin / Heidelberg: 679–691. doi:10.1007/s10113-010-0199-0. ISSN 1436-3798. S2CID 154389683.
  64. ^ "Government to act on high-speed rail subsidence problem". Taipei Times. 26 July 2011. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  65. ^ a b THSRC, Website (21 May 2018). "THSRC Ticketing Service Timetable & Fear Search" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  66. ^ a b c d e f "Passenger Guide". THSRC. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  67. ^ "COMPUTEX: High-speed rail to offer 4G WiMAX service in August". Focus Taiwan News Channel. 5 June 2012. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  68. ^ Yueh-lin, Ma (19 July 2012). "HSR: The New Benchmark for Travel Culture". CommonWealth Magazine, 天下雜誌. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  69. ^ "Shalun Branch line cuts travel time for Tainan commuters". Taipei Times. 3 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  70. ^ "New rails to link high speed and TRA trains". The China Post. Taipei. 3 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  71. ^ "高鐵車站簡介". 高鐵局 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 January 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  72. ^ "TRA WebSite – tw". 交通部臺灣鐵路管理局. 11 December 2008. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  73. ^ 高鐵對台灣經濟發展的影響 (PDF) (in Chinese). THSRC. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  74. ^ 優質服務 (in Chinese). THSRC. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  75. ^ "Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticketing Information". 22 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  76. ^ "高鐵優惠大放送 回數票85折 定期票48折 增班改點拚營收 自由座車廂增加天天服務" (Press release) (in Chinese). THSRC. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  77. ^ "11月起高鐵早鳥優惠新增8折優惠 8天前預購有機會享65折" (in Chinese). THSRC. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  78. ^ "THSR timetable". Railway Bureau. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  79. ^ "HSR passenger volume hits record new high". The China Post. Taipei. CNA. 8 April 2008. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
  80. ^ Lee I-chia (30 June 2011). "Rail passes assessment to add more trips". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  81. ^ Cheng, Jessie (5 September 1997). "High-speed rail bidders confident". Taiwan Journal. Retrieved 11 October 2010.[permanent dead link]
  82. ^ Li, Francis (23 July 2004). "High-speed rail to give birth to new towns". Taiwan Journal. Retrieved 11 October 2010.[permanent dead link]
  83. ^ a b "Ten millionth passenger takes ride on bullet train". Taipei Times. 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2008.
  84. ^ a b "台灣高鐵通車兩年 旅運人次倍數成長" (Press release) (in Chinese). THSRC. 10 January 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  85. ^ "Record ridership for Taiwan High Speed Rail". Focus Taiwan. CNA. 3 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  86. ^ "High-speed rail ridership hits monthly record in July". Focus Taiwan. CNA. 1 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  87. ^ "高鐵公司今日召開99年股東常會，通過98年度營業報告書、財務報表及盈虧撥補承認案，並修訂公司章程及相關作業程序" (Press release) (in Chinese). THSRC. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  88. ^ 營運年度概況 (in Chinese). THSRC. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  89. ^ thsrc. "台灣高鐵 Taiwan High Speed Rail". corp.thsrc.com.tw (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  90. ^ "高鐵歡慶旅運破億 公布票號急尋獲獎旅客" (Press release) (in Chinese). THSRC. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  91. ^ a b "Train ridership in Taiwan hits new high during New Year holiday". focustaiwan.tw. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  92. ^ a b Chen, Melody (4 September 2008). "Romance of rail jeopardizes domestic air routes". Taiwan Journal. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  93. ^ "Table 6-10 Passenger Load Factor of Domestic Flight by Line of Aviation". Monthly Statistics of Transportation & Communications. MOTC Department of Statistics. Archived from the original on 30 May 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2009. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  94. ^ "Table 6-1 Traffic Status of National Airlines". Monthly Statistics of Transportation & Communications. MOTC Department of Statistics. Archived from the original on 30 May 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2009. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  95. ^ "Last Taipei-Kaohsiung air service to be discontinued". Focus Taiwan News Channel. 25 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  96. ^ Cheng, Yung-Hsiang (2010). "High-speed rail in Taiwan: New experience and issues for future development". Transport Policy. 17 (2). Elsevier: 51–63. doi:10.1016/j.tranpol.2009.10.009.
  97. ^ "Taiwan's High-speed Rail: It's Been a Rapid Learning Curve". China Knowledge@Wharton. Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 26 September 2007. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  98. ^ Chen, Melody (4 September 2008). "Fast train success deepens bus sector's woes". Taiwan Journal. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  99. ^ a b "HSR system sets several world records". The China Post. Taipei. 5 January 2007. Archived from the original on 4 September 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  100. ^ a b c d 93年年報 (PDF) (in Chinese). THSRC. 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  101. ^ a b c d e f g h "2011 Annual Report" (PDF). THSRC. 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  102. ^ "Taiwan High Speed Rail won engineering award". The China Post. 3 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  103. ^ "HSR Tops List of Taiwan's 100 Best Infrastructure Projects". KMT. 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  104. ^ a b c d e Saleem, Amair (May 2006). "Taiwan's High Speed Rail: Technical Challenges". PB Network. XXI (63). Parsons Brinckerhoff. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  105. ^ a b c Briginshaw, David (October 2002). "Taiwan High-Speed Line On Course To Open In 2005 – High Speed: Far East". International Railway Journal. Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  106. ^ a b c "BizTrend: Taiwan bullet train project not on right track". Kyodo News via The Free Library. 22 December 2004. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  107. ^ "Projects and outlook". Rail.One. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  108. ^ "Business briefs/Rail laying begins today". Taipei Times. 17 July 2003. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  109. ^ "RTI Radio Taiwan International". Radio Taiwan International. 25 July 2011.[dead link]
  110. ^ a b c "Taiwan's high-speed rail link cruises home". Converting Today. Sidcup, London, UK. October 2004. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  111. ^ Huang, Joyce (16 October 2001). "High-speed rail installs the first giant boxgirder". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  112. ^ "20 Longest Bridges in the world". World Atlas. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  113. ^ "Seismic Resistant Viaduct Design for the Taiwan High Speed Rail Project". LUSAS. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  114. ^ Martin, Empelmann; Whittaker, David; Los, Eimert; Dorgarten, Hans-Wilhelm (2004). "Taiwan High Speed Rail Project – Seismic Design of Bridges Across the Tuntzuchiao Active Fault" (PDF). Proceedings of the 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  115. ^ "THSRC starts major work this month". Railway Gazette International. Sutton, Surrey, UK. March 2001. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  116. ^ "World Digest of Ongoing Tunnelling: Taiwan" (PDF). E-News Weekly. Tunnelbuilder. 10 October 2002. pp. 2–4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2003. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  117. ^ Lin, Pao H.; Tserng, H. P.; Lin, Ching C. (2006). "Automated construction of the Paghuashan tunnel for Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) project" (PDF). Automation in Construction. 15 (5): 627–639. doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2005.08.002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  118. ^ Ho, Jessie (28 January 2005). "Despite delays, high-speed rail begins test runs". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  119. ^ "Taiwan Quick Take/Train tests to 300kph". Taipei Times. 30 October 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  120. ^ Ho, Jessie (7 November 2005). "Premier backs bullet train project during test ride". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  121. ^ Ho, Jessie (6 January 2007). "High speed rail commences operations". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  122. ^ "Taiwan Quick Take/Taipei HSR station opens". Taipei Times. 2 March 2007. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  123. ^ Joyce M.W., Low; Lee, Byung Kwon (12 May 2020). "A Data-Driven Analysis on the Impact of High-Speed Rails on Land Prices in Taiwan". Applied Sciences. 10 (10): 3357. doi:10.3390/app10103357.
  124. ^ 游智文 (29 September 2021). "全台15重劃區房價飆 最狂前三名都在新竹". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  125. ^ Lee, Derek (31 March 2002). "Progress without ruffled feathers". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  126. ^ "水雉生態教育園區". Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  127. ^ a b "Yahoo" 搶救金山面老樹及伯公廟 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  128. ^ 筱慧, 車 (15 March 2008). "搶救金山面老樟樹，各方集思廣益(in Chinese)". The Liberty Times, 自由時報. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  129. ^ "2007 Financial Report" (PDF). THSRC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  130. ^ "2008 Financial Report" (PDF). THSRC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  131. ^ a b "2009 Financial Report" (PDF). THSRC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  132. ^ a b "2010 Financial Report" (PDF) (in Chinese). THSRC. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  133. ^ "2011 Financial Report" (PDF). THSRC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  134. ^ "2012 Financial Report" (PDF). THSRC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  135. ^ "Taiwan High Speed Rail 2013 Annual Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  136. ^ a b c "2017 Annual Report" (PDF). THSRC. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  137. ^ Taiwan High Speed Rail Annual Report 2017 (PDF). Taiwan High Speed Rail. 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  138. ^ Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation 2018 Annual Report (PDF). Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  139. ^ 靜賢, 賀 (25 September 2012). "菜菜子3天操40小時 高鐵每天租金百萬? (in Chinese)". The Liberty Times, 自由時報. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  140. ^ Lin, Judy (18 January 2008). "THSRC aims to double revenues". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2008.
  141. ^ "THSRC runs in red during first 2 months of operations". The China Post. Taipei. 13 March 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  142. ^ a b Shen, Ben (29 May 2008). "High-Speed Rail in Taiwan Finally Breaks Even in April". Taiwan Economic News. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  143. ^ "THSRC April revenue exceeds NT$1 bil". The China Post. Taipei. CNA. 11 May 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  144. ^ a b c d "Official hints at extending THSRC handover period". Taipei Times. 15 October 2009. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  145. ^ a b "High Speed Rail system not suitable for gov't takeover: Ing". The China Post. Taipei. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  146. ^ a b Hsu, Crystal (2 September 2009). "High Speed Rail narrows losses on lower overheads". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 6 September 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  147. ^ a b c "THSRC generates first net operating profit in 2009". Focus Taiwan. CNA. 23 June 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  148. ^ "High speed rail operator sees first ever profit after five years". The China Post. 31 March 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  149. ^ a b "Ministry defends THSRC's earnings record, potential". Taipei Times. 25 September 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  150. ^ a b Liu, Philip (29 August 2008). "THSRC's accumulated red ink equals half its capital". Taiwan Economic News. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  151. ^ Liu, Philip (2 September 2008). "THSRC Requests Banking Consortium to Cut Interest Rate". Taiwan Economic News. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  152. ^ "針對媒體有關高鐵融資結構之說法，高鐵強調依風險降低之事實重新檢視規劃融資安排，屬BOT計畫正常作業，絕非所謂紓困特惠。" (Press release) (in Chinese). THSRC. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  153. ^ "Taiwan High-Speed Rail seeking favorable loan terms". The China Post. Taipei. 7 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  154. ^ "Taiwan high speed rail refinancing agreed". Railway Gazette International. Sutton, Surrey, UK. 13 August 2009. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  155. ^ Crystal, Hsu (23 September 2009). "Ou Chin-der replaces Ing at THSRC". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  156. ^ Joyce, Huang (11 November 2009). "Government takes charge at THSRC". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 16 November 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  157. ^ Liu, Philip (11 January 2010). "THSRC Signs NT$380 B. Refinancing Contract". Taiwan Economic News. Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  158. ^ "Suspicious items lead to evacuation of bullet train". taipeitimes.com. 13 April 2013. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  159. ^ "Explosives found on High Speed Rail train - the China Post". Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  160. ^ Chen, Wei-ting; Wu, Lilian (13 May 2017). "High speed train runs on wrong track, first time ever". Focus Taiwan. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  161. ^ Everington, Keoni (April 2020). "Masks mandatory on Taiwan trains, intercity buses starting today". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  162. ^ "Taiwan's THSR to cancel non-reserved seats first week of April as virus precaution". Taiwan News. 3 March 2020. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  163. ^ 夏天的尾巴 緊抓高鐵譜青春. Liberty Times (in Chinese). Taipei. 8 May 2007. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  164. ^ Tan, Jason (20 April 2007). "Sony announces first Taiwanese game for popular PS3 console". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  165. ^ National Geographic, Travel (16 November 2012). "Best Winter Trip 2013/ Western Taiwan by (High Speed) Train". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2013.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Hood, Christopher P. (2006). Shinkansen – From Bullet Train to Symbol of Modern Japan. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-44409-8.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taiwan High Speed Rail.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taiwan_High_Speed_Rail&oldid=1252604307"