Taipei’s Train Station
Most times, whenever we get onto a subway or metro train anywhere in the world, one of the most visible accessories seen on passengers is the unmistakable trail of earphones stemming from their iPods and other music players. The tunes help us focus on where we’re going, or just provide a nice sonic buffer against all the other unique things that can happen on these railways. One metropolitan city in particular is taking this idea of music and trains to another level.
The mayor of Taiwan’s capital city made the announcement that a grand initiative to have music in each of the stations in Taipei’s metro system has gotten underway. Mayor Ko Wen-Je made these remarks at a convocation that heralded accomplishments regarding musical productions. The overall goal is for all 107 stations within the system to have their own signature theme song as a way to provide the metro system with its own substantial appeal not only for citizens but for global travelers to Taipei. The proposed theme songs would be heard in different aspects; for instance, the signature theme would play as metro passengers riding the train would enter different stations. It would help travelers avoid confusion in terms of where to go. Another possible use for the signature station song would be to hear it emanate as riders gained entry to the particular station through swiping a pass card or when train doors would close. This would mark a bold step in a metro system that is just shy of its 20th year of operation.
The meeting where the announcement was made by the mayor came at the tail end of a three-day convention held by the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs. The idea to have music in the Taipei Metro, or MRT as it’s commonly known, is part of a vanguard of new ideas to advance Taipei’s stature brought forth by Wen-Je, who has only been in office a little over 100 days. He got the opportunity to listen to the 52 soundscapes officially submitted during the convention by up to 53 individuals from various areas of the country. These themes ranged from the gentle strumming of ukeleles, to the incessant but charming sounds of tropical frogs. The music proposals will be fully examined by the transit board and the mayor before implementation procedures can begin.
