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The Taipei Metro Muzha Line is a medium-capacity line in Taipei, Taiwan. It is one of the first lines on the Taipei Rapid Transit System, consisting of 12 stations over 10.9km.[1] Opened in 28 March 1996 after construction delays compounded with legal tussles, the fully elevated people mover system is driverless and fully automated.[2] A full-length journey on the line takes 22 minutes, and it is labelled as part of the Brown Line on the Taipei Metro. Currently, services are operated using 4-car VAL 256s, and the line will directly connect to the future Neihu Line.
History
Construction of the Muzha Line began in December 1988 at a cost of NT$42.6 billion.[2] It was plagued by controversy, cost overruns and technical problems from its development up to a few years after its opening.[3] Originally slated to commerce passenger service in December 1991, its revenue operation was repeatedly delayed up to 28 March 1996 owing to numerous accidents. Public confidence was shakened as incidents of lightning strikes, computer failures, two instances of rolling stock derailment and catching fire each were reported during the testing phase.[2][1] In 1999, cracks were found on the elevated pillars forcing the line to shut down temporarily.[3]
One of the largest suppliers for the system, Matra, which supplied the VAL 256 rolling stock and electrical systems for the line sued the Department of Rapid Transit Systems of the Taipei City Government for costs overruns claiming to have resulted from the latter failing to provide the necessary infrastructure to build the line.[2][4] Subsequently, the company pulled out of the operation of the line in 1994.[2] Chen Shui Bian, then Mayor of Taipei declared that progress and operation of the line would continue despite the walkout in the now-popular catchphrase "?????,?????" (lit: If Matra doesn't pull, we'd pull it ourselves). After a 12-year long legal tussle, in 2005, Matra was awarded NT$1.6 billion (approx. US$50 million) in damages by the Supreme Court of the Republic of China.[5][6]
Services on the Muzha Line began with two-car operation of the VAL 256 coupled together. Eventually, increasing patronage on the system led to operation in four-car configurations. The opening of Maokong Gondola in 2007 have also boosted passenger numbers travelling on the line to Taipei Zoo for transfer.
Rolling stock
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The line is operated by the 2-car driverless VAL 256 built in 1993. A total of 102 cars were built with a maximum capacity of 114 passengers each. The fleet runs on rubber-tyred track at a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
Expansion
The Muzha Line is connected to the Neihu Line, which expects to open in 2009. It will connect to Neihu and Taipei Songshan Airport, which currently has no rapid transit access.[1] As an alternative contractor Bombardier has been awarded to supply the rolling stock and the signaling system for the new line, the Muzha Line's signalling system is currently being converted to suit the new communication-based train control (CBTC) CITYFLO 650 to allow both the old Matra rolling stock and the new one to run in co-existence.[1] Although the Bombardier rolling stock has already been delivered they are currently not in operation on the Muzha Line.
Stations
All stations are fully equipped with platform screen doors and disabled-accessibly facilities.
References
- ^ a b c d Taipei Metro – Approaches and strategies in managing an extensive and diverse rail framework, Richard C.L. Chen, TRTS, retrieved 26 April 2008
- ^ a b c d e Mucha line celebrates fifth birthday, Ko Shu-ling, Taipei Times, 29 March 2001, p. 2
- ^ a b Once again, MRT breaks down, Erin Prelypchan, Taipei Times, 4 December 1999, p. 2
- ^ High Court orders compensation in fight over MRT line, Joy Su, Taipei Times, 9 April 2004, p. 1
- ^ Matra wins final appeal against city government, Rich Chang, 24 July 2005, Taipei Times, p. 1
- ^ ???????? ?????20? ?????790?, ETTV News, 17 August 2005
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