Kaohsiung Light Rail System Marks a Cornerstone in Transportation Development／輕軌串起夢想的天使
Kaohsiung Light Rail System Marks a Cornerstone in Transportation Development
◎English translation: Tan Shu-jyun ◎Photo by Pao Chung-hui
The Kaohsiung light rail system will go into operation. This new important transportation artery will begin its trial operations from October, 2015. During this trial, passengers can ride for free between C1 Lizihnei and C4 Kaisyuan Jhonghua stations. The light rail system is not only Taiwan's first, but a pioneer by adopting catenary-free route. Kaohsiung's Mayor Chen Chu believes the light rail system will be a great catalyst in moving the city forward.
In the past, Taiwan's economy depended on Kaohsiung's petrochemical and heavy industry. However, it has taken a toll on the city's environment. Today, Kaohsiung is transforming its economy from heavy industry into one that is based on tourism, environment, culture and creativity. The city's transportation systems are a key factor in making such transformations possible. The light rail system will certainly give a strong boost to Kaohsiung's effort in becoming a greener city and developing its tourism sector. "Pollution, combined with overdevelopment, has caused droughts, floods and extreme weather. Therefore, Kaohsiung has had no choice but to develop more green initiatives", explains Mayor Chen Chu.
The light rail system provides tourists with a new way of exploring Kaohsiung, making it easy to take in its beautiful scenery and landmarks. With its interconnected circular line, it will not only complement the existing bus lines but also the Mass Rapid Transit's Red and Orange lines. Passengers can easily access Asia's New Bay Area such as Kaohsiung's beautiful bay-front Main Public Library, the Maritime Cultural & Popular Music Center, Kaohsiung Exhibition Center and the Kaohsiung Port Terminal. The route also includes the older more traditional areas, such as the revitalized century-old historical buildings in the Yancheng and Hamasen Districts. It will connect Kaohsiung's past and present with its new buildings and historical local culture.
"Kaohsiung's light rail system will carry our city forward! Come and see Kaohsiung's transformation and beauty!" says Mayor Chen.
輕軌串起夢想的天使
◎文／李明潓 ◎攝影／鮑忠暉
高雄輕軌上路了！不只是台灣第一條輕軌，也是全球第一個改採全線無架空線，完整保留寬闊天際線的最新式輕軌系統。高雄市長陳菊說，「輕軌運行讓人彷彿置身歐洲般浪漫，更承載高雄百年進步與夢想。」
作為全國第一個導入輕軌的城市，高雄有她必須面對的宿命和使命；石化和重工業創造台灣經濟，卻讓工業重鎮高雄背負環境上的重擔，加上極端氣候帶來的水災及旱災，也和各種污染及工業過度開發有關，「因此發展綠色城市，高雄別無選擇。」高雄市長陳菊強調。
因此，要從工業城市轉型為以觀光、綠能及創意產業為主軸的高雄，關鍵之一就是城市運輸。於是輕軌來了！這項幸福城市新配備，不但打通經濟與觀光發展的新動脈，也大幅提升高雄為現代化綠色城市的形象，吸引越來越多的觀光客搭乘大眾運輸工具深度暢遊高雄。
2015年10月，高雄市開啟輕軌試營運，期間優惠民眾刷卡免費試乘「C1 籬仔內站－C4凱旋中華站」，同時，每個輕軌停靠站，都已規劃好完善的公車轉乘服務。未來，高雄輕軌將再行經「亞洲新灣區」，沿途河海交織，串連多元化的國際指標建築。
屆時搭乘輕軌，可以欣賞全台最美的水岸圖書館─高雄市立圖書館總館；亞洲最棒的港灣娛樂城─海洋文化及流行音樂中心；台灣第一座光電智慧綠建築─高雄展覽館；以及高雄港埠旅運中心等地標性建築群，為高雄下一波發展奠基。
此外，輕軌還深入瀰漫懷舊風情的鹽埕與哈瑪星，見證百年歷史古蹟的活化。新穎優雅的車廂穿梭其間，新建設與舊文化相接相融，全新的海洋城市風格，正重新形塑中。
符合世界潮流趨勢的高雄新式輕軌，兼顧城市美學與交通網規劃，在高雄捷運紅、橘兩線十字相交的基礎路網下，從外圍繞成一環狀線，強化大眾運輸系統接駁服務。高雄市長陳菊說，「輕軌是承載高雄百年進展的幸福列車！歡迎蒞臨高雄，見證她的蛻變與美麗。」