The Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, has opened a 12.8 km-long south section of the circular light rail line served by 9 stations on January 12, 2020. This section is part of the second phase of the LRT loop expected to have 28 stations.
The line is operated by Alstom’s Citadis X05 trams following vehicles’ smooth operations on the existing first phase of Kaohsiung’s circular LRT since November 2020.
The trams are fitted with a full low floor and double doors for improved passenger circulation and accessibility for all, large bay windows, ambient LED lighting, ergonomic and spacious seats, as well as large passenger information screens. They provide passengers fully on-board mobility and high comfort.
To integrate seamlessly and safely into the Kaohsiung cityscape, the Citadis X05 trams run autonomously thanks to the Autonomy charging solution, combined with the Citadis Ecopack system of energy storage and catenary-free recharging system at each station.
The vehicles also boast several new technologies, including permanent magnet motors for higher efficiency, as well as optimised HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning), which together reduce their energy consumption by 25%. Simplified sub-system integration and maintenance decrease lifecycle costs, while the trams are 97% recyclable.
Alstom has been responsible for the design, delivery and commissioning of 15 Citadis X05 new-generation trams, power supply and energy storage equipment, which are fully interoperable with the city’s current network and planned extension. These are not only Alstom’s first trams operating in Taiwan, but also mark the inaugural Asian launch of its latest evolution of the Citadis range.
When fully opened, Kaohsiung’s circular light rail line will form a 22.1 km loop around the city served by 37 stations. The first phase with 14 stations has been in service since October 2015. The line will offer transport connections to two existing MRT lines – the Red and Orange lines.
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