Songshan Station became the principle south-bound origin and north-bound terminus for the West Trunk Line starting in 1986, after the reconstruction of Taipei Station began in 1985. These functions were moved to Chitu in Keelung City shortly before the reconstruction. The former Songshan Station was at-grade and operated by the TRA. It opened as a temporary station in July 2003 as part of the Taipei Railway Underground Project. All railway lines and platforms have been moved underground since 21 September 2008 in a move to improve safety and area development. A tunnel was constructed between this station and neighboring Nangang Station at a cost of NT$76.5 billion. The current station building opened for service in 2008. Built by Ruentex Development Company, the new station building was constructed via a NT$3.3 billion build-operate-transfer contract. The Taiwan Railways Administration section consists of two island platforms, while the Taipei Metro station has an island platform and five exits. They are connected via an underground passage. The new Taipei Metro station has a "Halo of City" theme with an egg-shaped hall and columns forming a ring structure. The station is deep, long, and wide. It has six exits, four vent shafts, and two accessibility elevators. The north side of the station is land for a joint development project.
Public art
The Taipei Metro station features a theme of "Festivities of Light" to reflect the mix of traditional and modern culture, local religion, and administration. It enhances the night activity in the area.
Bicycle Accessibility
Songshan Station is 0 kilometer starting point for the Taiwan Cycling Route No. 1, and the station features a bicycle accessibility stair ramp.
History
On 20 October 1891, it was opened as "Sekkhao Train Wharf". Then, it was renamed to Seikō Station in 1895 and in 1920, the station became known as Matsuyama Station. On 30 March 1936, the begins operation from Matsuyama Station to Matsuyama Airport. It was upgraded to second-class train station on 1 January 1955. Songshan Airport Line stops operating on 1976, and freight services ceased on 15 August 1985. The new station building opened on 15 July 1986 and on 1 July 1987, it became first-class train station. Freight cargo services were shifted to Nangang on 20 September 1991. The station moved underground on 21 September 2008 and the temporary station was present from 28 July 2003 to 29 December 2009. On 15 November 2014, the Songshan Line terminus opened for service. An explosion occurred at the station before midnight on 7 July 2016. A broken metal tube filled with explosive material was found on the scene, but a cause has not yet been determined.
