Dream Train for Kaohsiung ─ KMRT Red Line Will Be Completed by the End of 2007

　Thanks to the 10-year effort including the six-year construction, the Red Line of Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit is expected to reach completion by the end of 2007.

　Beginning on October 24, 2001, the construction of KMRT has cost a total of more than 181 billion NT dollars. KMRT has 2 routes: red and orange, which are planned to fit with the geographical features of the city. The 28.3-km Red Line has 23 stations while the 14.4-km Orange Line has 14 stations. The nearly-completed Red line is south-north bound, starting from the very south Siaogang District, through Cianjhen, Lingya, Sinsing, Sanmin, Gushan, Zuoying, Nanzih Districts, then continues into Kaohsiung County, Ciaotou Town. This route epitomizes Kaohsiung's industrial development history: traditional industry in the south, the business and political center of Kaohsiung, and the north oil-refining, packaging and sugar-refining industries. Every station tells a page of Kaohsiung's developmental history.

　In order to build unique stations for KMRT, Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation invited two well-known architects, Mr. Richard Rogers from Britain and Mr. Shin Takamashu from Japan, to design R9 the Central Park Station and O5/R10 the Formosa Station. The Central Park Station, designed by Mr. Richard Rogers, centers around the "Modern Kaohsiung" theme. With its three-dimensional arc design, it creates a chic modernity. Takamashu's Formosa design is also one of a kind. This round-roof station features four entrances shaped like "praying hands" to reflect the history of the location and the wish of a peaceful future. 

　Kaohsiung City Mayor, Chu Chen, expressed that the KMRT will soon be operating, and its safety and convenience will be confirmed at the completion announcement ceremony. Ticket choices for the Red Line include: Single Ride ticket, Pre-Paid card (General, Named Discount Card, and the Souvenir Card), One-Day ticket and Group ticket. In addition, Kaohsiung City Government has also mapped out 20 shuttle routes to encourage privately-owned bus companies to participate in the operation. These routes cover essential spots within 10 km around the Red Line Stations, including famous tourist spots, department stores and superstores, residential and business districts, schools, hospitals and administrative offices. In the future, the KMRT will cooperate with buses, ferries, and parking lots. Meanwhile, bicycle parking spaces will be available soon at every station to provide a comfortable and environmentally friendly transportation choice for the public.

　KMRT Red Line will operate from 6 am to 11pm year-round. Now Kaohsiung has a rapid, convenient transportation system connecting its south and north. This will definitely be a big step for Kaohsiung in transforming into an international metropolis. Therefore, let's welcome the safe, convenient and comfortable KMRT with Our biggest smiles!

搭上高雄的夢想列車 捷運紅線年底通車

◎文／林昀熹　◎照片提供／黃宏傑．高雄市政府捷運工程局

　　經過近十年的努力以及六年的工程，高雄捷運紅線即將於今(2007) 年底完工通車！

　　高雄捷運自2001年10月24日動工，總經費約1813.79億元，依照高雄市的地理特性，規劃為紅線與橘線兩線，紅線約28.3公里，全線設有23座車站，橘線約14.4公里，設有14座車站。年底通車的捷運紅線，為南北向之路線，從高雄最南小港區，行經前鎮、苓雅、新興、三民、鼓山、左營、楠梓等行政區，再沿縱貫鐵路至高雄縣橋頭鄉，不但貫穿高雄南北，沿線更可說是高雄產業發展的縮影，從南區傳統工業發展至新興商業、北高雄副都心、煉油及加工業到高雄糖業等，各個車站所呈現的正是歷歷在目的高雄產業發展史。

　　為使高雄捷運車站更具特色，高捷公司特別邀請兩位享譽國際的建築大師：英國的Richard Rogers爵士及日本的高松伸(Shin Takamashu)進行R9中央公園站與O5/R10美麗島站的建築設計。Richard Rogers爵士設計的中央公園站，以「摩登高雄」為設計主軸，立體弧形的設計概念，營造時尚前衛的現代感。而高松伸設計的美麗島站，為獨一無二的圓型車站，四個主要出入口之造型以雙手「祈禱」之意象反映當地歷史人文背景，並祈求和平之未來。

　　高雄市長陳菊日前宣佈捷運紅線年底即將通車之時就表示，捷運如期通車，安全與便利性絕不打折。票券方面則有單程票、儲值卡（一般卡、優惠記名卡、紀念卡）、一日卡、團體票等多樣化的選擇；高雄市政府也規劃了20條捷運接駁路線，徵求民營業者加入高雄市公車服務，以捷運紅線沿線各站往返10公里內為接駁路網，涵蓋各著名景點、百貨賣場、密集住宅區、商店街、機關學校、醫院、行政中心等。未來更將整合公車、渡輪、停車場等交通運輸工具，並在捷運站規劃「自行車停放處」，提供民眾便利舒適又環保的都會交通運輸環境。

　　高雄捷運紅線通車後的營運時間為每天上午6點至晚上23點，全年無休；南北狹長、中間又有鐵路穿過的高雄，多出一條快捷、便利、聯繫南北的重要管道，也讓高雄在邁向國際化都會的腳步上向前邁進一大步。讓我們用最雀躍的心，迎接安全、便捷、舒適的「高雄捷運」！