Hitachi Rail STS supplied electromechanical equipment for the line, including driverless technology and CBTC signaling.[6][1]Dapinglin, currently the only underground station on the line, was constructed by RSEA Engineering Corporation and employed the cut-and-cover method.[7]
Construction for the first phase officially broke ground on 11 July 2011 on a 6.3 km (3.9 mi) elevated section between Zhonghe and Banqiao.[8] The section is estimated to cost NT$13.7 billion, with the entire first-stage 15.4 km (9.6 mi) route estimated to cost NT$54.7 billion to construct.
The initial section between Dapinglin and New Taipei Industrial Park opened on 31 January 2020.[3] On 5 May 2023, the Circular line has been transferred from the Taipei Metro to the New Taipei Metro,[11] with the fare structure still integrated with Taipei Metro system, unlike light rail lines of New Taipei Metro.[12]
Public art
Unlike previous public art installations on the metro, it was decided that a smaller number of art pieces would be installed within the same budget, allowing for large-scale artwork.[13]
Across the above ground section of the line, Emmanuelle Moureaux (a Tokyo based Frencharchitect and designer) spread distinctive bold colours across infrastructure – including steel beams and pillars, noise barriers, 13 stations and platforms, a bridge over the Tamsui River, and the exterior and interior design of the train.[13][14]
The platforms, walls and ceilings of Banqiao station are decorated by French artist Daniel Buren, using regular, contrasting coloured stripes.[13][15]
Stations in operation
The western section of the line officially opened on 31 January 2020.[3][16]
After 3 April 2024, services between Zhonghe and Banqiao were temporarily suspended due to the 2024 Hualien earthquake.[18] The repair work will take 1 year to complete.[19] On December 12, 2024 the services between the Zhonghe and Banqiao station were restored earlier than the estimated repair time.[20] In a Facebook post, the New Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation announced that it will open the section of the at 12:00 PM Taiwan Standard Time.[21]
Stations under construction
The north and south sections are approved for construction, which is currently underway.[a] The estimated completion date for those sections is 2029.
South section
Stations Y01–06 are approved for construction. (Unopened stations' names are to be confirmed)
^ abc臺北市政府捷運工程局 (5 July 2012). "公共藝術導覽 環狀線第一階段 環狀線第一階段" [Public Art Guide Phase 1 of the Circular Line The first stage of the circular line]. 臺北市政府捷運工程局 (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 6 August 2024.
