The Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TTIA) Access Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) System is nearly complete, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today. A nonstop train from Taipei Main Station to TTIA on the line will take just 35 minutes, offering stable services to travelers to and from the airport.
The premier made these remarks at today's Cabinet meeting after a progress report on the construction of the line. Mao said the project is very important and instructed the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) to complete various preparations with Taoyuan Metro Corp. so that the goal of beginning operations by the end of this year can be met.
This is a very special MRT system for Taiwan, the premier indicated, because it not only offers nonstop and regular transportation services but also is part of three special municipalities' MRT systems. It connects Taiwan Railways, the TTIA, Taiwan High Speed Rail, and the MRT systems of Taipei City, New Taipei City as well as Taoyuan City, forming a comprehensive rail transportation system for the three cities. This case is unprecedented in Taiwan's MRT operation history, and its completion requires cooperation among central and local governments.
The premier also asked relevant agencies to accelerate the promotion of the major development projects along the new line, such as Xinzhuang Fuduxin at station A4, the affordable housing complex at station A7, Taoyuan Aerotropolis at stations A11 to A16, and the high speed rail special district at stations A17 to A19. He hopes that these projects, and the urban planning in particular, can be passed as soon as possible with cooperation between the central and local governments so that the line can fully benefit overall area development.
Totaling 51.03 kilometers, the TTIA Access MRT System runs eastward from the airport through New Taipei's Linkou, Xinzhuang and Sanchong districts to Taipei Main Station, and also heads southward from the TTIA to Taoyuan's Zhongli District passing through Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station.
The line totals 22 stations and is expected to cost NT$113.85 billion (US$3.67 billion). The MOTC stated that the project is progressing as planned, with 95.49 percent of the works completed to date, and the line is expected to begin operation by the end of this year.
The direct express train from Taipei Main Station to TTIA will take about 35 minutes, while a normal train that stops at every station will require around 70 minutes between Taipei Main Station and Zhongli station. In addition, Taipei Main Station and some other stations will provide such services as pre-flight boarding procedures and luggage check-in for departing passengers.