TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A technical malfunction disrupted Taiwan's capital city subway system on Tuesday (July 29) morning, stranding thousands of commuters during peak hours. The Taipei Metro's (台北捷運) Wenhu Line (文湖線) experienced the failure at 8:03 a.m., forcing service suspension between Dazhi Station (大直站) and Taipei Zoo Station (動物園站). Transit officials implemented emergency protocols, evacuating 198 passengers from the disabled train while affecting approximately 8,400 total riders.
Transit authorities responded with emergency measures during the hour-long disruption, implementing single-track operations between Dazhi Station and Songshan Airport Station (松山機場站). Bus shuttles connected Jiannan Road Station (劍南路站) to Zhongshan Junior High School Station (中山國中站) to maintain passenger flow. Service returned to normal at 9:22 a.m. after maintenance crews identified a malfunctioning propulsion switch component that triggered the train's automatic safety systems.
The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (臺北捷運公司) defended its automated safety systems, noting that the Wenhu Line's technology prioritizes passenger protection by immediately stopping trains when abnormal signals are detected. Officials assured affected commuters that they can receive refunds or electronic ticket corrections by contacting station personnel. The corporation emphasized that such precautionary measures, while inconvenient, demonstrate the system's commitment to rider safety over operational efficiency.
Service reliability on the Wenhu Line has steadily improved over recent years, with disruption incidents dropping from 21 in 2023 to 10 in 2024, and only six recorded so far in 2025. Transit officials pledge continued investment in maintenance upgrades and preventive measures to further enhance system stability. The declining trend reflects ongoing efforts to modernize Taiwan's busiest automated metro line and minimize passenger inconvenience during peak travel periods. ◼