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Taiwan railway systems were constructed in the early years of the Kuang Hsu period of the Ching Dynasty from a request by the Taiwan Governor Liu Ming Chuan 109 years ago. |
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In the 20th year of Guang Shue (1894 A.D. ), the Ching Empire severed Taiwan and the island became a colony of Japan. Used railway materials were dismantled from Japanese domestic lines and shipped to Taiwan to extend various lines to exploit natural resources. Therefore, the loading capacity of bridges along the lines differed from place to place. Railway cars could not continue through the full length of the line. |
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After the restoration of Taiwan from the war with the Japanese, the railroads in Taiwan were in ruins and there was privation everywhere owing to the bombardment by the allied forces. Furthermore, with the scarcity of materials plus damage by typhoons and floods, the railroads were in serious need of repair. At the time, the Japanese TRA personnel returning to Japan said the Taiwan railway would be paralyzed within six months. This was not far from the truth. Fortunately, the railway personnel from Mainland China with locals overcame all of the obstacles and maintained service on the railway. Later on the railway systems were gradually trimmed and extended according to priorities. |
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More recently, with the prosperity of society and the fast growth of industry and business, the TRA saw great progress and improvement; from steam to diesel to electrical locomotives and other modernization. |
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November 1960 |
Completion of the double line between Changhua and Tainan and the Central Transport Control system. |
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June 18, 1961 |
Commencement of the Diesel locomotive Kuan Kuang Express. |
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October. 31, 1966 |
Commencement of the DMU Kuang Hua Express. |
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February 3, 1970 |
Commencement of the Chu Kuang Express. |
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February 1972 |
Commencement of the Cidu Marshalling yard. This is a modern Hump type yard with a daily marshalling capacity of 2400 cars. |
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August 15, 1978 |
Commencement of the Tze Chiang EMU |
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July 16, 1980 |
Commencement of the electric locomotive Fu Hsing Express. |
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June 1979 |
Completion of the Electrification Project of the West Main Line. |
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December 1979 |
Completion of the North link Line. |
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June 1982 |
Completion of the widening of the East Line. |
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June 1984 |
Completion of the double line expansion of the Yilan Line. |
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September 1989 |
Completion of the underground line between Huashan and Wanhua.
Commencement of New Taipei Railway Station. |
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December 1991 |
Completion of the South link Line and the Around the Island Railway Network. |
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July 1992 |
On board public wireless phones became available for use. |
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October 1992 |
Southern Link Line started official operation. |
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July 1993 |
TRA's computer ticket reservation system was put into on line trial operation respectively at Taipei, Songshan, Banciao and Wanhua Railway Station. |
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June 1995 |
Commuter trains officially joined the service fleet in Taipei area. |
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October 1995 |
Commuter trains officially joined the service fleet in Taichung area. |
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January 1996 |
Commuter trains officially joined the service fleet of southern areas. |
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September 1996 |
TRA's information consultation system for passengers started operation. |
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November 1996 |
Newly purchased P-P Tzu Chiang trains officially joined the service fleet. |
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January 1997 |
TRA English web site goes on line. |
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April 1997 |
TRA Internet train schedule inquiry system goes on line and the Internet service for ticket reservation opened for use. |
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May 1997 |
Internet English Ticket Reservation System went on line. |
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March 1999 |
Guidelines for Offering Benefits to Handicapped passengers was promulgated in conjunction with the implementation of Handicapped People Protection Law and enforced immediately. |
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June 1999 |
The return to service ceremony for Tun Yun Train was held in the Taipei Workshop. |
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June 1999 |
Managing Director presided over the opening ceremony of the first railway museum in Miaoli. |
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May 2000 |
Electric trains along Yilan Line between Badu and Luodong went into service. |
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June 2000 |
Maiden journey of sightseeing trains between Taipei and Hualien. |
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June 2000 |
One thousand Millennium Memorial Meal boxes at a price of $300 per box were introduced on Railway Day. |
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December 2000 |
Engineering operations of Cidu, Taipei, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Hualien obtained the ISO-9002 international quality assurance certification. |
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January 2001 |
Post Chi-Chi- quake rebuilding project completed, with train service reinstated. |
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June 2001 |
CK124 steamer train underwent a complete overhaul and fired to inaugurate its service. |
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December 2001 |
Automated ticketing validation system introduced at Songshan, Taipei, Wanhua, Banciao, Shulin, Taoyuan, Jhongli and Hsinchu stations. |
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April 2002 |
Automated ticketing validation system introduced at Keeling station. |
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July 2002 |
TRA was awarded a Gold medal by the MOTC for Miaoli north direction underground construction in 2002. |
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October 2002 |
TRA's strong earthquake inspection station, and speed reporting system completes the testing procedure, showing indication of good conditions; it will be put into operation as of November 1st . |
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January 2003 |
In support of issuance of travel cards, service for ticket purchase by credit card was inaugurated in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung Before the 10th, a total of 53 stations including Banciao are to be inaugurated, followed by an additional 37 stations in February, a grand total of 93 stations will accept credit cards for ticket purchase. |
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March 2003 |
Ticket purchase by credit cards phase II covering 37 stations was inaugurated. |
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June 2004 |
For diversified operation, the Bureau and newly developed businesses introduced the 「PP Chihchiang Express trunk line」and formally started its service. |
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September 2004 |
100th Anniversary of the Longtian Station and the opening of the Tainan-Douliou section celebrated at Longtian. Mr. President Chen, Shui Bian accompanied by the Minister of Transportation and Communications attended the celebration and presided over the horn blowing ceremony. |
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October 2004 |
Treasure Island Wide Sightseeing Train has its maiden trip. Mr. Ishihara Shintaro, the Mayor of Tokyo, Japan came especially for the event. This sightseeing train came into formal operation commencing from the 30th, running every Saturday accommodating 120 seats of passengers. The 3 night 4 day and 3 night 2 day trips are a feather in the cap of the tourism program. |
