Taipei MRT Experience
When traveling the public train system in Taipei, one cannot help but compare to other systems on multiple points. Navigation within each station is more clear than most airports with helpful signs reminding us to breastfeed over here or use the toilet there (this one has no vacancy) and if you’d like to take your time please enjoy the art exhibition or sculpture garden on the train platform! Bright lighting, colors and design are all integrated to keep passengers both happy and orderly while riding.
I’ve never seen so many children thrilled, no blissed out of their mind, to ride the underground here all while standing or sitting in perfect maner. Priority seating is clearly marked with 2 different colored seats (dark blue). This skillful choice leaves the seats empty (even during heavy commute times) unless occupied by the elderly, pregnant or infirm. Wonderful to see a senior citizen walk right onto the train and sit down without any strain whatsoever.
No more tickets!! Brilliant. Even the single trip gets a nifty reusable plastic coin embedded with the travel value. Beep beep. Much of the ride in the center of the city remains underground, but as we travel outward the tracks become elevated revealing one of the best ways to see Taipei on a rainy afternoon. Take the train to a few end-of-line locations and find yourself in a fishing village and marketplace or mountain hotspring. Does it get any better than this?!?!