In quite a short time, Taipei (pop. 2.7 million) , the capital city of Taiwan, is developing a network of 4 conventional mainly underground metro lines and 1 automated elevated light rail metro line to relieve the city from traffic congestion. Although previously shown as separate lines, the red, green and orange lines are now operated jointly. Green labelled trains from Danshui (Tamshui) run through to Xindian (Hsintien), and orange labelled trains from Beitou (Peitou) run trough to Nanshijiao (Nanshih Chiao). The section between Beitou (Peitou) and Xinbeitou (Hsin Peitou) is now operated as a branch by single EMU's from 7:00 to 21:00 because of noise problems. In the early mornings and in the evenings service is provided by a free shuttle bus. In 2000, different routes were also assigned numbers to improve orientation.

Danshui (Tamshui) Line - 23 km - 20 stations, partly underground, following former railway route (now northern branch of Line 1 and Line 2)

Xindian (Hsintien) Line - 10.5 km - 11 stations, underground, along Roosevelt and Peishin Roads (now Line 1 south). 

Ximen - C.K.S. Memorial Hall opened 31 Aug. 2000 (Line 6 now operating as a shuttle with one intermediate station, Xiaonanmen).

The 1.9 km Qizhang - Xiaobitan branch line is operated separately every 12-15 minutes

Zhonghe (Chungho) Line - 5.5 km - 4 stations, all underground, along Zhonghe and Yungho and Jingan Roads, under the Xindian River. 

Blue Line (Bannan Line or Nangang-Banqiao-Tucheng Line) - 22.3 km - 20 stations, underground, along Zhonghua and Zongxiao Roads, Heping West Rd. and Wenhua Rd., crossing the Xindian River in a tunnel. The Tucheng extension (7.5 km) to Yongning was added in May 2006.

Muzha (Mucha) Line - 10.5 km - 12 stations, elevated, rubber tyred, fully automated VAL type line, stations have side platforms and screen doors. 

28 March 1996 - Muzha Line

25 Dec. 1997 - Danshui Line Danshui / Xinbeitou - Main Station

24 Dec. 1998 - Zhonghe Line Main Station - Guting - Nanshijiao

11 Nov. 1999 - Xindian Line Guting - Xindian

24 Dec. 1999 - Blue Line Taipei City Hall - Longshan Temple

31 Aug. 2000 - Blue Line Longshan Temple - Xinpu

31 Aug. 2000 - Xiaonanmen Line Ximen - C.K.S. Memorial Hall

29 Dec. 2000 - Blue Line Taipei City Hall - Kunyang

29 Sept. 2004 - Xindian Line - branch Qizhang - Xiaobitan

31 May 2006 - Blue Line Xinpu - Yongning

Photos © Hou Jan Liao & Lester Kao

In 2004, Taiwan introduced the commonly used transliteration of Chinsese, therefore spelling may differ on maps (old spelling in brackets).

Blue Line (Bannan Line, Line 3) is further under construction:
Nangang extension towards east: 2.5 km, 2 stations, will share underground tunnel with Taiwan Highspeed Rail and Taiwan Railways
- Kunyang to Nangang: 31 Dec 2008
- Nangang to Nangang Exhibition Hall: 31 Dec 2010

Neihu Line - 14.8 km - 12 stations, an extension of the Muzha Line, towards the Taipei Domestic (Songshan) Airport and beyond to Neihu (6/2008):
- Nangang Exhibition Hall to Zhongshan Jr. High School: 30 June 08

Xinzhuang (Hsinchuang) Line: An extension of the Zhonghe Line (Orange) through the city, originating from the Guting Station, heading north, then west (interchanging with the current Danshui (Red) line at Minquan West Road) then southwest toward Sanchong and Xinzhuang. 19.7km, underground, 16 stations, 1 maintenance yard (2009):
- Zhongxiao Xinsheng to Huilong: 31 Dec 09
- Zhongxiao Xinsheng to Guting: 31 Dec 10

Luzhou (Luchou) Branch Line: A branch of the Xinzhuang (Hsinchuang) Line, heading northwest to Luzhou. 6.4km, underground, 5 stations, 1 maintenance yard (2009):
- Luzhou to Zhongxiao Xinsheng: 31 Dec 09

Songshan (Sungshan) Line: extension of Xindian (Hsintien) and Ximen (Hsimen) (Green) lines, towards the north then east through the city, 8.5 km, 7 stations, with transfers to Nangang (Nankang), Danshui (Tamshui), Xinchuang (Hsinchuang), and Muzha (Mucha) Lines. Transfer to Taiwan Railway at Songshan. Construction began in April 2004 for completion on 31 Dec 2012.

Xinyi (Hsinyi) Line: extension of Danshui (Red) Line to the east, providing fast transportation between Taipei Main Station and Taipei 101 (Taipei Financial Center); 6.4 km, 6 stations, underground. Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall - Elephant Mountain: 31 Dec 2011

CKS Airport Line: Express metro to Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport from Taipei Main Station. Also includes Taoyuan Metro’s Blue line. Total: 51.5 km, 20 stations. - Zhongli – CKS-Airport – Sanchong: 31 Dec 09 - Sanchong – Taipei Main Station (Underground) : 2011

Circular Line: circular and peripheral line that intersects 10 of the current lines and lines under planning. VAL system.
- Phase 1: Elevated, 14 km, 14 stations. Dapinglin to Wugu Industrial Park: January 2011
- Phase 2: Underground, 20.5 km, 15 stations. Taipei Zoo to Dapinglin and Wugu Industrial Park to Jiannan Road: January 2018 (Official Website)

Y6 Dapinglin, Y7 Shisichang, Y8 Jianshanjiao, Y9 Peace Preservation Police Corps, Y10 JingAn Stadion, Y11 Zhongshan Rd, Y12 BanNan Rd, Y13 Zhongzheng, Y14 Banxin, Y15 Banqiao New Station, Y16 MinSheng Rd, Y17 Touqianzhuang, Y18 Xingfu Rd, Y19 Wugu Industrial Area.

See long term projects below (thanks to Nelson Lu & Kuan-Chi Lai)

- OPERATION

6:00 - 24:00, every 4-7 minutes, every 30 min late evening. Click here for more details.

- FARES

Single fare between NT$20 and NT$65.

The former stored-valued tickets have been replaced by a smartcard, called EasyCard.

Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. Website (official, English version)

Taipei Rapid Transit (governmental)

Carl Yiu's Subway's Future site includes details on Chinese metros

Taipei MRT stations - with tone marks

Great map at Johomaps.com