The Ankeng light rail system is to commence operations at the end of the year as planned, the New Taipei City Government said on Wednesday, adding that more than 90 percent of the system has been completed.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) in February inspected the first section of the light rail system, comprising stations K1 to K5.
On Wednesday, Hou, along with New Taipei City Department of Rapid Transport Systems Director Lee Cheng-an (李政安) and members of the media, took a test ride of the elevated second section of the system, which runs from stations K6 to K9.
Despite soaring commodity prices and a shortage of construction materials, more than 90 percent of the light rail system has been completed, Hou told reporters.
“The ride was smooth and the noise was within acceptable levels,” Hou said.
The light rail system would cut travel time for commuters from Ankeng to downtown Taipei or New Taipei City by 15 to 20 minutes, he said.
The system should also bolster local tourism as the route passes tourism hotspots such as the Erbazi Botanical Garden and the Sunshine Sports Park, he said.
As of April, all 15 light rail cars had been delivered and the entire line has since July 29 been undergoing core electromechanical system tests, the department said.
The installation of the power grid for the light rail system, its communication system, signals and monitoring systems are 85 percent complete, it added.
Although sound barriers have not yet been installed, the sound emitted by the light rail system is below the legal maximum of about 70 decibels, Lee said.
The light rail system spans 7.5km and passengers can connect to the Greater Taipei area via the circle line, the department said.
Eight Chinese naval vessels and 24 military aircraft were detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait between 6am yesterday and 6am today, the Ministry of National Defense said this morning. The aircraft entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones, the ministry said. The armed forces responded with mission aircraft, naval vessels and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor the situation, it added. Eight naval vessels, one official ship and 36 aircraft sorties were spotted in total, the ministry said.
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