Tainan MRT to be Taiwan’s 1st monorail

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tainan is set to launch Taiwan’s first elevated monorail system, with construction of the Blue Line’s first phase expected to begin next year.

The Tainan Bureau of Transportation said on Sept. 18 that compared with traditional steel-wheel systems, a monorail uses smaller track beams suited to narrow urban streets. With covered rubber tires, it produces less noise, shortens construction time, and reduces environmental impact.

The bureau added that similar systems operate in several countries, and recent designs include passenger-evacuation and maintenance walkways to enhance safety.

Aside from the running gear, track beams, and switches, other mechanical, electrical, and civil facilities are similar to existing metro systems, it said. The city is drafting dedicated standards so metropolitan areas can choose the most suitable system based on urban layout and cultural characteristics.

The standards center on four principles: adapting existing metro standards to monorail features; ensuring system compatibility to lower costs and encourage industry participation; enhancing safety and service through human-factors design; and promoting domestic procurement and manufacturing to spur investment.

The first phase of the Blue Line will span 8.39 kilometers with 10 elevated stations and one maintenance depot, running through the densely populated Yongkang, East, and Rende districts. Construction is expected to begin next year, the bureau said.

Once the technical standards are set, the bureau said they will establish a benchmark for monorail construction in Taiwan and provide a reference for other cities.