THE new mass rapid transit (MRT) rail system that will dramatically reduce the time taken to travel between Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei is on course to open this December.
The Taoyuan International Airport MRT is undergoing test runs at present and is around 95 per cent complete, with further testing scheduled, according to Taiwan’s transportation bureau and Xinhua.
At a speed of 90kph, travellers will be able to commute from the airport to Taipei Main Station in a little over 30 minutes, with trains departing in each direction every 10 minutes at busy periods of the day and every 15 minutes at quieter times.
The line will also serve as a commuter route and will have 14 stops, although people heading directly to or from the airport will be able to take an express service skipping commuter stops.
Each train will be able to transport a maximum of 855 passengers and 5,200kg of luggage in large storage areas, said the transportation bureau. No decision has been reached on the price of tickets on the route.
“Traveller-friendly” carriages will also be equipped with screens providing details on flight arrivals and departures.
