Poster Taïwan high speed rail

The Taiwan High-Speed Railway, also known as THSR (臺灣高速鐵路), is a modern rail infrastructure located along the west coast of Taiwan. It spans a distance of 345 kilometers, linking the capital, Taipei, with Kaohsiung. Entering service on January 5, 2007, construction of the line required an investment of US$15 billion.

The high-speed trains operating on this line are based on Japanese Shinkansen technology and are manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 300 km/h, these trains make it possible to cover the distance between Taipei and Kaohsiung in around 90 minutes, far less than the 4 hours 50 minutes required for conventional trains, although the actual journey time is around 2 hours if stops at various stations are taken into account.

The line's history dates back to the early 1990s, with an initial project involving a European consortium, Eurotrain. However, financial problems and a preference for Japanese technology led to this project being abandoned in favor of the Shinkansen. Construction began in 2000, the first tests took place in 2005, and the line was opened to the public in 2007.

Although criticized for its high cost and manufacturing quality problems, the THSR has brought significant benefits, including shorter journey times, less domestic air traffic and less pollution than using cars. At present, the line serves twelve stations, although Kaohsiung, the thirteenth, was excluded from the original project.

The trains in service, called Taiwan High Speed 700T, run from 6 a.m. to midnight. They serve various stations according to station number, offering economy and business compartments, with features such as swivel seats and entertainment systems.

As far as stations are concerned, the line features several major stops, notably in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung, with underground, above-ground and viaduct stations, enabling connections with other modes of transport, such as the metro and the traditional rail network.