Taiwan High Speed Rail is the first bullet-train in the island. HSR began operating in January
5th, 2007. Moving at the maxium speeds of 300 kmh /186 mph and running the length of 345km / 214 miles from
Taipei (Capital of Taiwan, located in north of the island) to Kaohsuing (the 2nd largest city, located
in south of the island). HSR shortens traveling time between north and south to as
little as 90 minutes on its non-stop route compares to 50 minutes by air, 5 hours by regular train or 6 hours by car.

Currently it stops eight stations: Taipei, Banciao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohsiung
(Zuoying). By 2010, 4 more stations will be opened: Nangang, Miaoli, Changhua and Yunlin.
HSR stations have been placed at the surrounding of current city centers. Cars for HSR are based on a design used by Japan’s Super Express HSR, modified to fit Taiwan’s environment. This unique design is called the Train 700 Taiwan. They are built in Japan by a 3-company consortium.
Cars are soundproofed and every train is equipped with handicapped accessible seats and washrooms. Vending machines are
found in the 1st, 5th and 11th cars. Every car displays time to next destination and current speed.
Business Class seats in general are 2.2 times higher than standard fares. Taipei to Zhuoying costs TWD 1,490 (=USD 45). German and French engineers are piloting the HSR trains and training Taiwanese counterparts now.