A test operation of Kaohsiung’s light-rail system — the first to be installed in Taiwan — is to begin on Oct. 16, according to the city government.
Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp, which is in charge of operating the system, is to begin accepting reservations on Thursday for a trial run between the C1 and C4 stops on the system, the city’s Mass Rapid Transit Bureau said.
During the trial operations, trams is to run every 30 minutes between 9am and 7pm from the C1 to the C4 stop and return.
Photo: Chang Chung-yi, Taipei Times
Passengers will be only allowed to get on and off at the C1 stop.
Each trip is to carry up to 150 passengers, well below the tram’s maximum capacity of 250 passengers, the bureau said.
Passengers who make an appointment to try the service must use an iPass stored-value card for the free ride during the trial period, according to the bureau.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) yesterday rode the light-rail system and said: “It makes one feel as if they were in Europe.”
She said she hoped that all would go smoothly during the trial period so that the service can officially begin service before the Lunar New Year holidays.
Kaohsiung began construction of the first phase of its light-rail system in June 2013. The line is to run on a circular route.
The first phase of the project, which cost NT$16.54 billion (US$498.9 million) to build and consists of an 8.7km tram line along Kaohsiung Harbor with 14 stops, is expected to be completed by mid-next year.
Reservations for a test ride can be made online at www.goo.gl/or by telephone at 07 793 9676.
Additional reporting by Wang Jung-hsiang
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