Taipei Metro Announces '3 Facilities Suspended'! Full Restrictions Implemented on This Day, Violators Fined from NT$30,000

The Taipei City Government's '2026 Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill' will take place simultaneously across all 12 administrative districts from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 13. This drill emphasizes evacuation exercises in public transportation, consumer venues, and various institutions, and will for the first time implement mobile network throttling in coordination with the National Communications Commission (NCC). Individuals or entities failing to comply during the drill may be fined up to NT$150,000 under the Civil Defense Act. Citizens are advised to plan their schedules and prepare accordingly.

The 2026 Taipei Air Defense Drill will be held on August 13! Maokong Gondola, Taipei Arena, and Children's Amusement Park to suspend operations.

In coordination with the city government's drill, facilities operated by Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation Recreation Division will adjust operations on that day:

- Maokong Gondola: Passenger service will be suspended from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. After the drill begins, passengers inside stations must follow staff instructions to designated evacuation areas.

- Taipei Arena and Children's Amusement Park: All indoor and outdoor facilities, including on-site retail stores, will cease operations from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Visitors must comply with evacuation guidance.

- Parking lot restrictions: The parking lots at Maokong Gondola, Taipei Arena, and Children's Amusement Park will implement a 'entry-only, no exit' traffic control. Vehicles may enter but cannot leave during the drill.

Meanwhile, metro, high-speed rail, conventional rail, and flights will maintain normal operations. However, passengers disembarking from trains, planes, or exiting highways must follow on-site personnel instructions for evacuation procedures.

First-ever mobile network throttling drill! Mobile payments affected—experts recommend two preventive measures

At 2:30 PM on the day of the drill, when alert messages are issued, mobile data networks across the city will be throttled. Voice calls, text messages, and emergency services (110/119) will remain unaffected. However, video streaming, social media image uploads, cloud backups, and mobile payment services may experience disruptions.

The city government recommends the following preventive measures:

- Prepare alternative payment methods: Carry cash, physical credit cards, or EasyCards when going out to avoid inconvenience caused by mobile payment failures.

- Download evacuation information in advance: Pre-download the 'Police Service APP' or 'Fire Disaster Prevention e-Tong APP', and save screenshots of nearby air-raid shelter locations.

After the drill, if mobile network connectivity does not resume, users can reset their connection by toggling 'Airplane Mode' on and off or by restarting their devices.

Evacuation shelter gates must be opened proactively! Violators face fines up to NT$150,000

To ensure smooth public evacuation, the Taipei City Government has notified all owners, management committees, and security personnel of air-raid shelters (including community basements) to proactively open basement driveway roller doors or barriers during the drill.

Individuals or managers who fail to comply with regulations or evacuation instructions during the drill will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000 under Article 25 of the Civil Defense Act. For inquiries, contact the Taipei Citizen Hotline at 1999 for more information.