The first line of the Danhai Light Rail Transit System opened Dec. 24 in New Taipei City, with the public enjoying free ridership on the tram network during its inaugural month in operation.
At a launch ceremony held the previous day, New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu hailed the 7.3-kilometer, 11-station Green Mountain Line as an infrastructure milestone in the northern Taiwan metropolis.
The line is expected to play a key role in alleviating traffic congestion in the city’s Tamsui District and Danhai, a populous township founded in 1992, according to Chu. By providing safe and convenient transportation services, it will also boost economic development and tourism, he said.
Passengers can view popular scenic attractions from the trams such as Mt. Guanyin and the Tamsui River, while the stations feature public artworks inspired by the creations of renowned Taiwan illustrator Jimmy Liao, Chu added.
Comprising seven elevated and four ground-level stations, the Green Mountain Line connects with the Taipei metro’s Tamsui-Xinyi, or Red Line, at Hongshulin Station. It is one of four lines planned for the DLR network alongside the under-construction Blue Seaside Line and the Bali and Sanzhi lines, which are in the planning stages.
On completion of the Blue Seaside Line in 2025, the system will span 14 kilometers and 20 stations, and attract an estimated daily ridership of 120,000, according to the city government.
The DLR is also the first system in Taiwan to use locally manufactured trams. Produced by Taiwan Rolling Stock Co. Ltd. with technical support from Germany’s Voith Engineering Services, the five-unit, low-floor tram, called the Warrior, can carry up to 265 passengers and reach a top speed of 70 kph. (Taiwan Today)
