A new train model, the N700ST, built for Taiwan High Speed Rail (Taiwan HSR) using Japanese Shinkansen technology, arrived at Kaohsiung Port in southern Taiwan on August 15, where a ceremony was held.
The first trainset will complete test runs and other preparations by the end of April next year, with commercial service targeted to begin on July 1.
Hitachi and Toshiba to Build 12 Trainsets
The new train is based on the Tokaido Shinkansen’s latest model, the N700S. Hitachi and Toshiba, among others, are developing and manufacturing 12 trainsets (12 cars per set) for Taiwan.
The Japanese side won the roughly ¥124 billion ($840 million) order in 2023. The first trainset was shipped to Taiwan from Hitachi’s Kasado Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture at the end of July this year.
The new train will operate at the same maximum speed of 300 km/h as the current fleet. It will also introduce nursing rooms and barrier-free facilities.
At the ceremony, Takuya Yamakawa of Hitachi’s Rail Business Unit spoke on behalf of the Hitachi-Toshiba consortium, saying he was confident that “this new-generation train will contribute to the further development of Taiwan High Speed Rail and improved service, supporting the development of Taiwanese society.”
New Trains to Boost Capacity by 25%
Taiwan HSR plans to add the 12 new trainsets to its current fleet of 34 700T trains (based on the existing 700 Series), aiming for a total operating fleet of 46 trainsets by the end of 2028.
Taiwan HSR’s transport capacity has been under strain, with reserved seating regularly sold out during peak hours and standing passengers crowding the aisles of unreserved cars.
The introduction of the new trains is expected to boost transport capacity by 25%.
Taiwan HSR was the first overseas adopter of Japanese Shinkansen technology, launching service in 2007.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Yoshiaki Nishimi, The Sankei Shimbun
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