A partially completed tunnel on Taipei's expanding MRT system. In February 2012, the system saw its 5 billionth passenger. (Craig Ferguson)
One of the great things about making a living as a photographer is the interesting places I get to go. Recently I had the opportunity to photograph some of the ongoing construction on Taipei’s MRT system. With over 1.66 million passengers per day riding on a new, clean and efficient service, it has truly revolutionized the way people get around. Coming from Australia where public transport is fairly poor, Taipei’s is a breath of fresh air. The system is spotless, I can ride from one side of the city to the other for less than NT$50 and the average wait between trains is only 3-4 minutes. I think the longest possible wait is 8 minutes and that’s only at the very end of the day’s operations when it’s about to shut down for the night.
Later this year and next year a couple of new lines will open. In September, the connection of the two parts of the orange line will be made with the opening of Dongmen station. Then in December is the opening of the Xinyi line, one that I expect will quickly get a lot of use. The airport line, which will take passengers from Taipei city out to Taoyuan Airport comes into service mid-2013, and the Songshan line at the end of 2013. My recent assignment took me down into the tunnels between built for the Songshan line, and then into Daan Park MRT Station, currently under construction on the Xinyi line. Here are some photographs from both.
The base of the tunnel is lined with rebar and awaits the pouring on concrete for the track bed. (Craig Ferguson)
Workers inspecting a hole during construction of the Songshan line of Taipei's MRT system. (Craig Ferguson)
A partially constructed platform in one of the new stations in Taipei's MRT. (Craig Ferguson)
Work continues on the Daan Park MRt station, scheduled to open in December 2012. (Craig Ferguson)
Landscaping work conitunes outside the Daan Park MRT Station. (Craig Ferguson)
Aerial view of the Daan Park MRt station with Daan Forest Park behind it. (Craig Ferguson)
