Luzhou Line (Taipei Metro)

Luzhou Line, Taipei Metro
Luzhou Line 蘆洲線
Luzhou Station Platform
Overview
Type	Rapid transit
Locale	Taipei and New Taipei, Taiwan
Termini	Luzhou Daqiaotou
Stations	5
Operation
Opened	November 3, 2010
Operator(s)	Taipei Rapid Transit System
Character	Underground
Depot(s)	Luzhou Depot
Rolling stock	Kawasaki C371 3 cars per set, 2 sets per train
Technical
Line length	6.4 km (4.0 mi)
Number of tracks	2
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification	Third rail (750 volts DC)
Operating speed	80 km/h

The Taipei Metro Luzhou Line is a high-capacity, underground branch of the Xinzhuang Line that runs through Taipei and New Taipei. It forms part of the Orange Line and is named for the district of Luzhou where the line terminates. The line originates from Daqiaotou (where it branches off from the Xinzhuang Line). The line is 6.4 km (4.0 mi) long with 5 underground stations and a maintenance depot.

Due to heavy traffic for residents in the districts of Luzhou and Sanchong traveling in and out of downtown Taipei, a rapid transit line was constructed to meet this urgent need. Although the Luzhou Line is technically only the section from Daqiaotou to Luzhou, the Xinzhuang Line section is commonly included as part of the Luzhou Line. All stations are equipped with platform screen doors and it is the first high-capacity line in the system equipped with them.

Although plans were to have the line open for revenue service before the end of 2010, the line began free trial service on November 3, 2010. The line began revenue service from December 3, 2010.

Since its first three weeks after opening, the line (along with the Xinzhuang Line section) had reached a total ridership of over 3 million passengers, with an average of 157,000 passengers per day. It is expected to cut travel time between Luzhou and Taipei by at least half, with travel time between Luzhou and Taipei Main Station cut down to 17 minutes. The system surpassed an annual ridership of 500 million for the first time on December 29, 2010, widely attributed to the opening of the new line. The line has been effective in relieving congestion, with a 24% increase in average vehicle speed crossing Taipei Bridge (to Taipei) during rush hour since the opening of the line. During the initial one-month trial, bus routes that ran parallel to the metro route experienced a 40% decrease in ridership, although bus ridership is expected to rise again after the end of the free trial.