KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan -- Taiwan's second-largest city of Kaohsiung is building a new light rail transit system. It will circle the urban core at street level and in a world's first, without hanging power lines. In addition to the lack of power-line clutter, greenery will be planted along 80% of the tracks, and stations will sit amid foliage.
Light rail systems run low to the ground, making it easy for passengers to board and exit. Kaohsiung's new line will travel 22.1km in a loop around the city. Contractors are rushing to complete the first phase of construction of an 8.7km stretch along the sea, at which rate will open for business at the end of 2015.
