Main Topic: Taiwan's High Speed Rail

Hosts: James Stanworth, Stephen Huang, Clyde Warden

In this show, Clyde, Stephen, and James visit one of the high speedrail stations in Taiwan. The infrastructure in Taiwan underwent majorimprovements after the turn of the century. The HSR is one of theresulting projects. Very popular, the HSR has put the domestic shorthop airlines out of business and given families another way to visitSouthern or Northern Taiwan and be back in time for dinner.

Retailing at the HSR stations is much like airports (Paul Freathy has done a lot of interesting research on airport retailing) with the required McDonald's and Starbucks, but there are also some interesting local products, especially food. Check out CoinsumerCam for an interesting kiosk with a nice Chinese style selling Chinese snacks.

 Taiwan transportation has become really convenient.

Listen To The Show (Audio Only):

Length: 18 minutes. Download MP3 9.02MB (Right click->Save As).

Watch The Show (Video & Audio):

From Taichung, Stephen, James, and Clyde.
Length: 18 minutes.

iPod Download MP4 83.12MB (Right click->Save As).
QuickTime Download MOV 67.87MB (Right click->Save As).
Windows Media Download WMV 70.48MB (Right click->Save As).
High Quality mp4 H.264(640x480) Download high quality mp4 141.72MB (Right click->Save As).
{embed_uri}show_054_hsr{/embed_uri}

Photos:

• (1) A mobile help counter in the Taipei MRT--helps passengers find their away to the MRT, normal rail, and HSR. (1) A mobile help counter in the Taipei MRT--helps passengers find their away to the MRT, normal rail, and HSR.
• (2) James and Anastasia. (2) James and Anastasia.
• (3) HSR Ticket (this is from the airport station to Taichung). (3) HSR Ticket (this is from the airport station to Taichung).
• (4) The Taichung HSR's station to connect to the normal rail. (4) The Taichung HSR's station to connect to the normal rail.
• (5) Wurih, just outside Taichung City, with Chunghua in the distance. (5) Wurih, just outside Taichung City, with Chunghua in the distance.
• (6) Modern looking construction all around. (6) Modern looking construction all around.
• (7) The surrounding area is still undeveloped. (7) The surrounding area is still undeveloped.
• (8) Over the hill is Shalu and then the Taiwan Straight. (8) Over the hill is Shalu and then the Taiwan Straight.
• (9) Taichung City in the distance. (9) Taichung City in the distance.
• (10) Glass elevators give the station an ultra modern look. (10) Glass elevators give the station an ultra modern look.
• (11) The normal car is actually quite comfortable. (11) The normal car is actually quite comfortable.
• (12) Interesting adverts, like this on for Taiwan Beer. (12) Interesting adverts, like this on for Taiwan Beer.
• (13) This HSR poster compares Before HSR and After HSR. Get it? (13) This HSR poster compares Before HSR and After HSR. Get it?
•  

ConsumerCam:

Vid. 1) Ticketing--two ways.
{embed_uri}show_054_hsr_01{/embed_uri}

Vid. 2) Inside the train--normal and business class.
{embed_uri}show_054_hsr_02{/embed_uri}

Vid. 3) An interesting kiosk in the train station employing a traditional Chinese looking servicescape.
{embed_uri}show_054_hsr_03{/embed_uri}

Vid. 4) Taxi service at the station basement--both legal and illegal services.
{embed_uri}show_054_hsr_04{/embed_uri}

Show Links:

• Short documentary on the Taiwan HSR trains.
  
• HSR ticketing site.

Bottom Line:

• Transportation quality in Taiwan is of very high quality.
  
• This is a big change in a short time, mostly due to big infrastructure plans and execution.
  
• The High Speed Rail (HSR) is one great example of this.
• The HSR has put local commuter airlines out of business.

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