Hyundai Rotem's Taiwan Suburban Line Electric Train to Begin Commercial Operation from the 6th

Total Scale of 909.852 Billion and 520 Cars... 1 Formation Consists of 10 Cars
Tsai Ing-wen, President of Taiwan, Test Drives Vehicle at Opening Ceremony

New suburban train manufactured by Hyundai Rotem for Taiwan [Photo by Hyundai Rotem]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Hyundai Rotem announced on the 2nd that the commuter-type electric trains exported to Taiwan will officially begin operation on the 6th of this month.

According to Hyundai Rotem, a commemorative ceremony for the opening of Hyundai Rotem's suburban line electric trains was held yesterday at Keelung Station in northern Taiwan. The event was attended by high-ranking government officials including Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Premier Su Tseng-chang, and Minister of Transportation Lin Chia-lung, who personally rode the electric trains. President Tsai said, "With the opening of the new suburban line electric trains in Taiwan, passengers will experience more convenient transportation services."

Taiwan Railways Administration plans to deploy one special operation train set for two days on the 4th and 5th and start official commercial operation from the 6th. The electric trains will operate on the section from Keelung Station in northern Taiwan to Miaoli Station in the northwest.

Hyundai Rotem previously secured an order for 520 suburban line electric trains in Taiwan in 2018, worth approximately 909.8 billion KRW. This marks Hyundai Rotem's re-entry into the Taiwanese market after 19 years since the order of 56 electric trains for the Taiwan Railways Administration in 1999.

The Hyundai Rotem electric trains, with a maximum operating speed of 130 km/h, are composed of 10-car train sets and will operate on suburban line routes throughout Taiwan. The first two train sets arrived locally in early October last year, with one set completing mainline test runs first. More than 100 additional cars will be deployed this year and delivered sequentially until 2023.

Hyundai Rotem's electric trains support onboard Wi-Fi service and have headrests installed above the seats to enhance seating stability. They also feature 12 bicycle racks, 16 seats reserved for pregnant women, and 8 wheelchair spaces.

A Hyundai Rotem official said, "During the ride event held last month with citizen representatives, representatives from various groups including people with disabilities, pregnant women, the elderly, and bicycle organizations expressed satisfaction with the front design and convenience features of the new trains," adding, "We will do our best until final delivery."