The Xinzhuang Metro Line is Officially Launched on January 5th, 2012
New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu and Taipei City Mayor Lungbin Hau announced January 5th to be the official launch day for the Xinzhuang metro line from Daqiaoto Station to Fu Jen University Station. The metro line will provide free rides for a month with an addition of four new bus routes at its peripheral areas, which are also free for one month; the newly introduced metro route is expected to improve public transportation facilities around the region.
According to Mayor Chu, in order to accompany the Xinzhuang metro line with bus services at its peripheral areas, one bus route among the existing 50 bus routes along the Xinzhuang metro line will undergo route adjustment. Four new bus routes will also be added to service citizens living in Danfeng, Huilong, and Taishan area; these four bus routes will be free for one month to encourage the public to utilize public transportation.
In addition to the newly launched Xinzhuang line, Mayor Chu pointed out that there are more Taipei MRT projects in progress, e.g., Dingpu line, Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT system, Circular line, Wanda-Zhonghe-Shulin line; Xizhi line and Tamsui extension line, which have both been approved by the Department of Transportation; and Shenkeng line and Sanying line, which are both currently being examined by the Department of Transportation.
The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation said the Xinzhuang metro line will constitute a supreme traffic and transportation network with East-West expressways, National highway No.1, and Taiwan High Speed Rail, making Xinzhuang District the core area of the Big Taipei Metropoli and extending its connections to Xindian District, Zhonghe District, Yonghe District, and Eastern District of Taipei. The time it takes to travel from Fu Jen University Station to Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station is now reduced to only 24 minutes, roughly less than half of the original traveling time. The Xinzhuang metro line is expected to cross the Circular line and Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT system, which are both currently under construction, respectively at Touqianzhuang Station and Sanchong Station in the future. Besides improving public transportation facilities, the Xinzhuang metro line can also promote land development and induce economic prosperity at the Xinzhuang District and Sanchong District.