New Taipei Metro
Light rail/rapid transit system in Taiwan
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New Taipei Metro (Chinese: 新北捷運; pinyin: Xīnběi Jiéyùn; Zhuyin Fuhao: ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄟˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄩㄣˋ) is a transit system serving New Taipei, Taiwan, operated by New Taipei Metro Corporation. The Danhai light rail, Ankeng light rail, and Circular line are currently in operation, while the Sanying line is under construction and further lines are in various planning stages. Currently, these services are connected to Taipei Metro but operate independently, with the exception of the Circular line which is completely integrated into the Taipei Metro system but operated by New Taipei Metro.
| New Taipei Metro | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 Danhai light rail | |||
| Overview | |||
| Native name | 新北捷運 | ||
| Owner | Department of Rapid Transit Systems, New Taipei City Government | ||
| Area served | New Taipei City, Taipei | ||
| Locale | New Taipei City | ||
| Transit type | |||
| Number of lines | 3[a] | ||
| Number of stations | 37 | ||
| Chief executive | Lin Youxian (林祐賢) | ||
| Headquarters | New Taipei City | ||
| Website | www | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | December 12, 2018 (light rail) January 31, 2020 (rapid transit) | ||
| Operator(s) | New Taipei Metro Corporation | ||
| Character | Elevated, underground, at-grade | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 30.37 km (18.87 mi) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
| Electrification | 750 V DC | ||
| |||
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Timeline of services
| Date started | Date amended | Terminus | Route | Terminus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-12 | Current | Kanding |  |
Hongshulin |
| 2020-01 | Current | Dapinglin |  |
New Taipei Industrial Park |
| 2020-11 | Current | Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf | |
Binhai Shalun |
| 2023-02 | Current | Shuangcheng |  |
Shisizhang |
Lines
Danhai light rail
The Danhai light rail is a light rail transit (LRT) network located in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. It opened on 24 December 2018. The network connects to the Taipei Metro at Hongshulin.[1]
Ankeng light rail
Ankeng LRT serves the Xindian District (Ankeng) of New Taipei City by connecting the Circular line's Shisizhang metro station with Shuangcheng light rail station. Construction started around April 2016 and is well away on the road level part between station K1 and K5, with the first tracks having been laid in November 2018. As of October 2021 the project was 83.69% complete. From station K6 to K9 the tracks are elevated, as well as K2. As of June 2018, the entire section from station K1 to K6 is clearly visible on Google Maps running down the middle of Anyi Rd and then turning right onto Anjie Rd, passing through a cemetery and going across Ankang Road. As of September 2018, work has started on the bridge across the Xindian River to Shisizhang station. On February 10, 2023, the Ankeng LRT officially started operations and passengers could ride for free during the first month.[2]
Circular line
On 31 January 2020, the Circular line opened.[3] Stage I construction consists of 14 stations running from New Taipei Industrial Park on Taoyuan Airport MRT to Dapinglin on Songshan–Xindian line and is about 15.4 km (9.6 mi) long.[4] Electromechanical equipment for the line is supplied by Hitachi Rail STS, including driverless technology and CBTC Radio signalling.[5] In February 2020, free rides were offered to passengers in order to raise awareness and test the route's popularity.[6][7] On 5 May 2023, the Circular line was transferred from the Taipei Metro to the New Taipei Metro,[8] however the fare system is still integrated with the Taipei Metro. It is the first automated metro entirely within New Taipei City,[9] with the only other driverless line in Greater Taipei currently in operation being the Wenhu line. The western section of the line officially opened on 31 January 2020. The line is currently 15.4 km (9.6 mi) long, with 14 stations.[10] It uses CBTC Radio signalling from Ansaldo STS.[11]
Rolling stock
Light rail trains
The Danhai light rail uses its own rolling stock, which entered service in December 2018 with the opening of the first section. The Ankeng light rail uses its own rolling stock, similar to those used on the Danhai light rail, which entered service in February 2023 with the opening of the line. Both types of trains run on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge.
Rapid transit trains
The Hitachi Rail Italy Driverless Metro is used on the Circular line, which entered service in January 2020 with the opening of the first section. Each train consists of a 4-car EMU set and with open-gangway connection between cars. The trains run on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge without onboard operators.[5]
Fleet roster
Light rail fleet
| Car type | Photo | Year built | Builder(s) | Train length (m) | Capacity (seated/standing) | Max. speed[b] (km/h) | Fleet total | Car set numbers | Line(s) | Depot(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danhai LRV | |
2016-2017 | TRSC | 34.5 | 62/265 | 70 (overhead line)/50 (no overhead line) | 15 | 1011–1155 |  |
Danhai | Open gangway connection |
| Ankeng LRV |  |
2016-2023 | 2011–2155 |  |
Ankeng |
Rapid transit fleet
| Car type | Photo | Year built | Builder(s) | Train length (m) | Capacity (seated/standing) | Max. speed[c] (km/h) | Fleet total | Car set numbers | Line(s) | Depot(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C610 (Driverless Metro) |  |
2016 | Hitachi Rail Italy, TRSC | 68.43 | 24/650 | 90/80 | 68 | 101–117 |  |
North, South | Open gangway connection |
| Hitachi Rail Italy Driverless Metro |  |
2023 | Hitachi Rail Italy | 90/80 | 58 |  |
Sanxia | Open gangway connection |
Engineering trains
New Taipei Metro also uses a fleet of specialised trains for maintenance of way purposes on the Circular line:
| Car Type | Purpose | Builder | Max. speed (km/h) | Length (m) | Lines used on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rescue locomotive | Rescue of passenger EMU or engineering trains | Bemo Rail | 50 | 9.45 | |
| Track maintenance vehicle | Track maintenance | 25 | 5.86 | ||
| Road–rail vehicle | Mercedes-Benz | 50 (rail), 80 (road) | 5.2 | ||
| Flatcar | Carrying maintenance equipment | Bemo Rail | N/a | 18 |
Depots
The system currently has three depots, with more under construction.[12]
| Depot Name | Year opened | Location | Rolling Stock Housed | Line(s) Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danhai | 2018 | Tamsui, north of Kanding | Danhai LRV | |
| South | 2020 | Xindian, north of Shisizhang | C610 | |
| Ankeng | 2023 | Xindian, south of Shuangcheng | Ankeng LRV | |
An LRV at Danhai Depot
The workshop area of South Depot
Aerial view of Ankeng Depot
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Future expansions
Sanying line
The Sanying line is a metro line under construction. The first section is 14.29 km (8.88 mi) long, has twelve stations and will serve Tucheng, Sanxia and Yingge districts, due to open Q1 2026. The line shares the same terminus with the Taipei Metro Bannan line's terminal station at Dingpu.[13] This line is also planned to be extended to Bade District, Taoyuan with 2 stations and a length of 3.88 km (2.41 mi), terminating at Danan station on the under-construction Taoyuan Metro Green line,[14] with the extension expected to be completed in 2034.
Danhai Light Rail extensions
Blue Coast Line Phase 2
The 3.3 kilometre (2.1 mi) line would begin at Tamsui station and end at Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, with 6 stations along the coast. Preliminary construction is underway and the line is expected to be completed in 2031.[15]
Bali Light Rail
At 6.0 kilometres (3.7 mi) long with 7 stations, this line would begin at Youchekou (V25) station, interchange with Phase 1 of the Blue Coast Line at Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, and use the under-construction Tamkang Bridge to cross the Tamsui River and serve Bali District. The line is currently undergoing feasibility studies.[16]
Xizhi-Donghu line
In 2020, it was decided that the eastern section of the proposed Misheng-Xizhi line of the Taipei Metro would be built first from Donghu to Xizhi District Office under the purview of New Taipei Metro, now called the Xizhi-Donghu line. It would interline with the Keelung Metro (upgraded from light rail to a medium-capacity metro) and share a depot at Shehou. In 2023, it received final approval from the Executive Yuan, and broke ground on 20 March 2025, with expected completion in 2032.[17][18]
Shenkeng light rail
The Shenkeng light rail is a planned light rail system with 5 stations and 5.8 kilometres (3.6 mi) in length, serving Wenshan and Shenkeng districts. The route will head eastwards from Taipei Zoo through Shenkeng District, terminating at the eastern edge of the town, with the possibility of extending further to Shiding Service Area on National Freeway 5 at a later stage. It is currently undergoing feasibility studies.[19]
Wugu–Taishan light rail
The Wugu–Taishan light rail is a planned light rail system in the Sanchong, Luzhou, Wugu and Taishan districts. The route begins from Jixian Environmental Park, passing through Luzhou, Wugu, and Taishan, terminating at a location between Taishan metro station (A5) and Taishan Guihe metro station (A6) on the Taoyuan Airport MRT. A new infill station (tentative name: Wenzizun, station code: A5a) is planned to be constructed on the Taoyuan Airport MRT to enable transfers with the light rail system.[20]
An extension to Banqiao District is also being planned, known as the Taishan–Banqiao light rail, and would terminate at Juguang station on the under-construction Wanda-Shulin line.[21]
Network map
