Department of Rapid Transit Systems

Taipei City Government is sparing no efforts in the promotion of the “Development of Six Lines 2.0,” and among these lines is Wanda line, which traverses Taipei and New Taipei City. As of late October, the construction progress had reached 82% with the laying of the tracks for the entire line currently in progress. The construction of passageways is currently underway at each station along with exit/entrance structures and decorations, and the government is striving towards the goal of completing the line in 2027. Once the line has been opened for operations, traveling from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to Zhonghe Senior High School will only take 14 minutes, and the line will dramatically reduce travel times between Wanhua, Zhonghe, Yonghe, Tucheng and the core areas of Taipei and New Taipei City.

DORTS explained that Wanda line Phase I runs west from Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station beneath Nanhai Rd., and after crossing Heping W. Rd. it connects with Xizang Rd. and turns on Wanda Rd. After passing beneath the fruit and vegetable market and the Xindian River, it runs onward to Baoshun Rd. and then Baosheng Rd. before turning onto Zhongshan Rd., and traveling on to Liancheng Rd. and Jincheng Rd. Jincheng Depot has been constructed in the agricultural zone north of Jincheng Rd., and a branch line station has been established adjacent to Juguang Road. With a total length of 9.5km, the line includes nine underground stations and one depot, which is equipped with five-star functionality for train storage, maintenance, testing, and operational management of the entire line.

DORTS stated that excavation has been completed at all of the nine stations on Wanda line Phase I, and construction is currently underway on the concourse and platform levels at all stations. This construction includes the ventilation shaft at Yonghe Yongping Elementary School Station, which is the only ventilation shaft in Taiwan which is capable of exchanging air outside of the station as well as ongoing construction on the station structures, interior decorations, and inverted arches and walkways for the up and down tracks of the shield tunnels. In addition, all drilling for the 18 tunnels of the line was completed last year, and the track construction is also progressing rapidly.

Jincheng Depot is the train depot for the Wanda line Phase I EMUs, and it is also a next-generation train maintenance and parking center for the Taipei MRT system. A total of 19 EMUs were purchased to meet the requirements of this line, four of which have already arrived at Jincheng Depot. The depot was specially designed for the Wanda line, and it is equipped with advanced EMU inspection, maintenance, and testing equipment which can accommodate multiple EMUs for simultaneous routine maintenance. 

DORTS pointed out that a promotional video shows the four EMUs which have arrived in Taiwan lined up together, and testing of the first EMU which arrived from Brazil in October last year is currently underway on the test tracks. DORTS also stated that in late December, three more EMUs will be arrived, and the remaining 12 trains will arrive in Taiwan next year. Following the arrival of the EMUs in Taiwan, they will undergo testing on the depot test tracks with manual driving tests conducted using signal monitoring; moreover, various communication functions and operations testing will also be conducted so that the Wanda line will be fully prepared to be opened for operations. 

DORTS also mentioned that a new specialized platform crane appears in the promotional video at the depot repair facility after having arrived on October 23 from Italy. It is capable of hoisting large-scale equipment and performing heavy maintenance and also provides flexible support for track maintenance tasks. The platform truck is equipped with a spacious deck and has the transport capacity to move tracks, large equipment, or tools to various work areas as well as to perform routine maintenance and inspections. DORTS also stated that the newly-recruited pieces of machinery will be put to use on maintenance services following the opening of the Wanda line for operations and work alongside the maintenance team in order to protect the safety and stability of all journeys on the MRT.

DORTS further elaborated that they have released the latest promotional video showing the progress of construction. The video takes viewers on a ride on the Wanda line along a route which includes nine stations and the depot, and it also features construction views of the locations of the exit/entrance. DORTS anticipates transporting people to all corners of the Taipei MRT network and connecting with the daily lives of the public!