The Taipei MRT System is pretty much the best thing about Taipei. Seriously. I’ve thought about this a lot. It’s a very modern, award winning subway system that will whisk you almost anywhere you want to go in this sprawling city in minutes. It’s clean. It’s convenient. It’s never late. It’s cheap. It’s easy to negotiate, even in English, Japanese, or Korean… It’s awesome.
The one complaint I think anyone would have for the MRT is that it can get very crowded at peak times. The biggest trouble spot used to be the transfer at Main Station, but since the Fuzhou-Nanshijiao (Orange) Line opened, the dreaded transfers now seem to be at the Zhongxiao-Xinsheng and the Zhongxiao-Fuxing Stations.
So, despite my love of the MRT, I present you with a photo essay based (mostly) about the crowds and flow of pedestrian traffic during peak hours.
The transfer from the Blue Line to the Orange Line at Zhongxiao-Xinsheng Station can be hectic, but MRT employees are there to help out.
The Taipei MRT 台北捷運 (aka the Mass Rapid Transit and sometimes referred to as the Taipei Metro (but not by anybody who lives here so don’t say that!)) was first opened in 1996. Since then, they’ve been trying to open a new line every year. The planned future lines are a real eye-opener and will almost completely negate the need of scooters or cars in the city. Click here for a full resolution map of the future expansion plans.
My only complaint other than the crowds at rush hour would be that the MRT doesn’t run 24 hours a day. It’s closed from midnight to 6am daily. If you want more information on the MRT, have a look at the wiki page, or visit the official website (While I’m complaining, their website could be a little better, too!)
Waiting for a train on the Taipei MRT.
People always stand in nice lines and are quite considerate on the Taipei MRT.
Transferring at the Zhingxiao Fuxing MRT Station.
The transfer from the Brown Line to the Blue Line is one of the worse. Most people use this single set of stairs to do it.
The Brown Line to Taipei Zoo and Neihu is elevated, giving a nice view of some of the nicer parts of the city.
Getting on and off trains can be crazy at rush hour, but most people are very polite and do their best to stay out of the way.
Taipei MRT 台北捷運
Trains come every 3-5 minutes on the main lines during rush hours.
The MRT has some great artwork in selected stations and transfer corridors.
The busy Taipei MRT (subway) is one of the most efficient in the world.
A lone woman rides up a long escalator in Taipei, Taiwan.
The Brown Line to Taipei Zoo and Neihu is elevated, giving a nice view of some of the nicer parts of the city.
Cheers,
-Neil
hi Neil, love the photos. Every train ride is a journey.
Although Taipei MRT is always packed, passengers are always so polite, and they give way to families (with strollers). In terms of graciousness, Taiwanese are setting the benchmarks :)
cheers from Singapore,
andy
Excellent photos!
My 5 Thumbs up for the passengers at Taipei MRT.! They are *very* considerate and make the ride a really enjoyable one. One should send gruffy Singaporeans there for education to learn how to behave in (and around) a MRT
Great effects, but I’m dizzy now ;)
Great pictures, with anxiogenic character..it looks like painting for some of them.
Love the shots! Was on the Kaohsiung MRT yesterday and for once (thank the Yellow Rubber Duck and 10-10 holiday) it was almost as crowded as Taipei’s system.