Taïwan high speed rail

The Taiwan High Speed Line, also known as THSR (臺灣高速鐵路), is a modern railway infrastructure located along the west coast of Taiwan. It extends over a distance of 345 kilometers, connecting the capital, Taipei, to Kaohsiung. Entering service on January 5, 2007, the construction of this line required an investment of 15 billion US dollars.

The high-speed trains operating on this line are based on Japanese Shinkansen technology and are manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 300 km/h, these trains offer the possibility of covering the distance between Taipei and Kaohsiung in approximately 90 minutes, much less than the 4 hours 50 minutes required for conventional trains, although the actual time of journey is approximately 2 hours taking into account stops at different stations.

The history of the line dates back to the early 1990s, with an initial project involving a European consortium, Eurotrain. However, financial problems and the preference for Japanese technology led to this project being abandoned in favor of the Shinkansen. Construction began in 2000, the first tests took place in 2005, and the line opened to the public in 2007.

Although criticized for its high cost and manufacturing quality issues, THSR has brought significant benefits, including reduced travel time, decreased domestic air traffic, and less pollution compared to using cars. Currently, the line serves twelve stations, although Kaohsiung, the thirteenth, was excluded from the initial project.

The trains in service, called Taiwan High Speed 700T, run from 6 a.m. to midnight. They serve various stations depending on their number, offering economy and business compartments, with features such as swivel seats and entertainment systems.

Regarding stations, the line has several major stops, notably in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, with underground, surface, and viaduct stations, allowing connections with other modes of transport, such as the metro and the traditional rail network.