32482970https://english.dorts.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=E90A2AC19650CFE5&s=7B12696FD5E84722DORTS Holds Public Hearings on Comprehensive Planning of the Minsheng-Xizhi LinePublic hearings for the first phase of the Taipei MRT Minsheng-Xizhi line will be held by the Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) in the Taipei City Neihu District Office auditorium at 7 p.m. on November 8 (Friday) and in the New Taipei City Xizhi District Office auditorium at 7 p.m. on November 15 (Friday), in accordance with the Mass Rapid Transit Act and the Regulations Governing Public Hearings on Taipei MRT Planning. The hearings will be presided over by DORTS Chief Secretary Chang Tzer-hsiung. In the meetings, comprehensive planning results of the Minsheng-Xizhi Line will be explained to the public and suggestions will be gathered. Given that the environmental impact assessment procedure for the section from Neihu to Xizhi has been approved by the Environmental Protection Administration, the public hearings are to be held in these two districts. DORTS welcomes local residents to participate and provide valuable suggestions. [][][][]Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government32482950https://english.dorts.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=E90A2AC19650CFE5&s=659DE761B5E83CA7Taipei Mayor Inspects Common Duct Construction along Xinyi RoadTaipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin accompanied by Deputy Mayor Chang Chin-oh, Deputy Secretary-General Hsueh Chuen-ming, Public Works Department Commissioner Chang Pei-yi, and Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) Commissioner Tsay Huel-sheng inspected the construction of common ducts along Xinyi Road. Installation of electrical & mechanical (E&M) and monitoring facilities is currently underway. During the inspection, in addition to listening to a briefing given by Tsay, Hau also personally reviewed construction of common ducts including tunnels and column brackets for the hanging of telecommunications cables and power lines. He conveyed his appreciation and encouragement to the on-site construction crew for their endeavors in the hope that the construction will be completed on schedule, so as to enhance the road surface along Xinyi Road. DORTS said that in cooperation with MRT construction, the common duct construction along Xinyi Road began to be put out for tender and conducted simultaneously with construction of the Xinzhuang and Xinyi lines in 2003. The civil engineering work has now been completed and the installation of E&M and monitoring facilities is currently being implemented. Common ducts are the structures used to accommodate more than two public facility pipelines such as those used for power, telecommunications, and drinking water. In addition, drainage, ventilation, lighting, communications, and power systems, as well as safety monitoring systems are being installed inside these common ducts for easy maintenance and management in the future. According to DORTS, construction of common ducts along Xinyi Road, totaling 6.69 km, starts from Aiguo East Road, and turns on to Xinyi Road after passing along Hangzhou Road, then extends east to end at the intersection of Xinyi Road and Songde Road. Three methods were adopted for the construction: 3.168 kilometers of shield tunnel construction method, 3.016 kilometers of cut-and-cover method, and 0.506 kilometers of pipe jacking method. DORTS emphasizes that after the common duct construction is completed, future excavation of Xinyi Road will be reduced to the minimum, pipeline transmission quality enhanced, and road maintenance costs reduced. In addition, traffic flow, city landscape, and quality of life will all be improved. [][][][]Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government32482940https://english.dorts.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=E90A2AC19650CFE5&s=7B41AA1246338A2DResponse to Media Report on Circular Line TransfersThe Taipei MRT Circular line will run on a viaduct through Banqiao District, New Taipei City. In the section starting from Banqiao heading toward Xinzhuang, the route runs along Wenhua Road in Banqiao and turns north onto Minsheng Road. The intersection of Minsheng Road and Wenhua Road is a turning section with the additional complication that the track must ascend to run above the Bali Xindian Expressway. Due to these route alignment limitations, an MRT station can only be established on a straight segment and not at the intersection. Therefore, the Circular line's Xinpu Minsheng Station is to be located on Minsheng Road on the north side of the intersection. Although passengers will not be able to transfer directly from the Banqiao line's Xinpu Station to the Circular line's Xinpu Minsheng Station and will have to exit one of the stations to enter the other. However, through ticketing system integration if passengers exit one of the two stations and re-enter the other station within a given time they won’t pay any extra fare for the basic mileage. Meanwhile, in the future, DORTS and New Taipei City Transportation Department will make a joint effort to integrate and improve pedestrian movement around the two stations. In regard to transfers at Touqianzhuang Station that will connect the Circular and Xinzhuang lines, in coordination with construction of the Circular line's Touqianzhuang Station, the land for the Xinzhuang line's Touqianzhuang Station main body and Exit 1 space has been already reserved for future transfer use. When the Circular line comes into operation, transfer between the Circular and Xinzhuang lines can be made inside the station's paid area and there will be no need to exit and re-enter. [][][][]Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government32482930https://english.dorts.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=E90A2AC19650CFE5&s=5F9E0EBC3D0DC526Clarification in Response to Next Magazine's Report on Taipei Twin Towers ProjectIn response to Next Magazine's report on the Taipei Twin Towers JD project at Parcel C1/D1 in Taipei Main Station District, DORTS would like to clarify that the first priority developer, the construction consortium led by Taipei Gateway International Development Co., Ltd. submitted its application in the name of a private landowner who is working with IGB Corporation Berhad and Mid Valley City Sdn. Bhd. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) submitted to the Taipei City government by the three corporations mentioned above not only specified joint liability, but also said that Taipei Gateway International Development Co., Ltd. was authorized to be the consortium's agent to negotiate the development application with the Taipei City government. Therefore, for all operations related to the application prior to contract signing, Taipei Gateway International Development Co., Ltd. was the main contact window. In addition, the consortium investment contract submitted to DORTS also specified that the landowner and three corporations would take joint liability, not just the private landowner. DORTS said that it conducted an investigation into an allegation made by Next Magazine that DORTS received a letter from the Taiwan branch company of IGB Corporation Berhad on February 19, 2013, alleging that the consortium members of Taiwan Gateway International had been ignored. An investigation by DORTS concluded that no such thing occurred. Up to the present time, Taipei City Government has handled this development case with extreme care. In addition to constant involvement of government ethics staff throughout the tender process, after many suspicions were raised in late October last year when Taiwan Gateway International was awarded top priority, the mayor directed government ethics units to send all relevant information to local prosecutors and the Control Yuan. So, prosecutors and the Control Yuan had all the information provided to them by the Taipei City government at the "end of last year." In fact, whenever anything illegal or a major controversy occurs, as a matter of principle, the mayor has always ordered the matter sent for investigation and that full cooperation be maintained. The Taipei City government will protect its rights against any corporations with ill intent. DORTS also wants to solemnly clarify that it has conducted this development case with an attitude of extreme prudence, and in accordance with relevant laws and tender regulations. Every administrative step was taken in accordance with the law. Sound and video recordings of the selection meeting have been kept as evidence. The selection process was overseen by government ethics units from start to finish. If any evidence of illegality comes to light, DORTS will cooperate fully with investigation units in order to clear up any doubts. [][][][]Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government32482920https://english.dorts.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=E90A2AC19650CFE5&s=BBAB6C27711C939EProcess for Selecting a Developer for the Taipei Twin Towers Project ExplainedTaipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) Commissioner Richard C.L. Chen and Department of Legal Affairs Commissioner Tsai Li-wen co-chaired a press conference on February 23, 2013 to give an explanation of the process of selecting a developer for the Taipei Twin Towers Development Project. The main points were as follows: The selection process has been performed in accordance with all relevant requirements and procedures. However, the first priority developer forfeited the right to sign the contract by failing to furnish a NT$1.898 billion performance bond as per relevant regulations. In accordance with the regulations, DORTS confiscated a guarantee bond totaling NT$130 million; meanwhile, DORTS is to negotiate with the second priority developer following the same strict standards and procedures. DORTS conducted the developer selection procedures prudently. All applicants were not only requested to submit financial documents verified by certified accountants, DORTS also entrusted China Credit Information Service Ltd. and Dun & Bradstreet Taiwan to independently conduct assessments and credit checks of the applicants' finances. The credit investigation showed that the three applicants have almost the same financial strength. In addition, their financial capability met the requirements stipulated in the project's selection regulations. The selection items include development planning, finance, and operations. The soliciting of developers for the project on Parcel C1/D1 in Taipei Main Station District was conducted in accordance with the selection regulations. Only teams (consortia) were permitted to participate in the selection and each individual was required to sign a Letter of Intent that expressed a willingness to bear joint and individual responsibilities. The Evaluation Committee, consisting of 17 members including six representatives from the Taipei City government, met on October 28, 2012 to decide the bidder priority for contract negotiations. Taipei City Government has no right to intervene directly and has no idea why the consortium led by Taipei Gateway International Development, the priority developer, failed to furnish the performance bond within the given period. It is possible that no agreement was reached among the consortium partners regarding their precise rights and obligations or there is some other reason. Both DORTS Commissioner Chen and Department of Legal Affairs Commissioner Tsai fully understood their responsibilities and never shirked their duties at any stage. [][][][]Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government