Taiwan High Speed Rail held an acceptance ceremony at Kaohsiung Port for the Japanese-made N700ST, a new trainset, and announced that commercial service would begin next July, with 12 trainsets to be introduced in stages. The trains have a maximum speed of 300 km/h, power outlets at every seat, and lithium-ion batteries enabling them to run under their own power during power outages.
Taiwan High Speed Rail held a ceremony at Kaohsiung Port to accept the Japanese-made N700ST, a new trainset. The N700ST was designed based on the N700S, the latest rolling stock used on the Tokaido Shinkansen, and 12 trainsets, each consisting of 12 cars, are scheduled to be introduced in stages. Commercial service is expected to begin as early as next July. The aim is reportedly to increase transport capacity.
The new trainsets will feature power outlets at every seat in both the business-class and standard-class cars. They are also designed to run under their own power during power outages using lithium-ion batteries. Their maximum speed is set at 300 km/h, and transport capacity is expected to increase by 25% from current levels once all the trainsets are in service.
Since opening in 2007, Taiwan High Speed Rail has used rolling stock based on Japan's Shinkansen. The company is moving ahead with the introduction of N700S-series rolling stock as part of efforts to strengthen its future operating structure.