日治時期臺北鐵道的多重角色與地方生活

Abstract

1921年由於臺北鐵道株式會社（股份有限公司）開通當時唯一的私設鐵路——臺北鐵道，鐵道於是成為臺北到新店地區重要的交通方式之一。這條鐵道原本是為了將文山區的貨物、礦產送到臺北而開通，隨著都市發展、人口增加，通學和觀光的需求逐漸提高。約略在同一時期，汽車開始普及，與臺北鐵道產生的競爭關係，一直保持著相互關注的狀態，也讓臺北至新店之間的地區形成利於交通發展的環境。臺北鐵道也是前往新店一帶觀光的重要交通工具。新店碧潭，以及烏來溫泉，兩地都是臺北鐵道沿線的主要觀光景點。這兩間離市區不遠的地方，透過利用臺北鐵道能享受適合日間短途旅行的避暑勝地。在上下學方面，對於當時臺北帝國大學的學生和教授來說，臺北鐵道是一個重要交通選擇之一。除了他們之外，對於居住在新店的人前往臺北，或是居住在臺北通勤至新店的兩者而言，由於交通選擇相對較少，利用該鐵道的佔比較大。本文認為臺北鐵道的發展，其不僅承擔了貨運、客運的角色，還在教育、觀光與戰時交通中扮演了不可或缺的功能。從服務文山地區的貨物運輸，到連結都市與自然的觀光體驗，再到支撐通勤與戰時疏散，臺北鐵道的存在體現了日治時期殖民地基礎建設的多樣性與現代化意圖。In 1921, the Taipei Railway Corporation (Taipei Tetsudō Kabushiki Kaisha) inaugurated the Taipei Railway, the only privately operated railway at the time, establishing it as a crucial transportation link between Taipei and Xindian. Initially constructed to facilitate the transport of goods and minerals from the Wenshan area to Taipei, the railway gradually adapted to increasing demands for commuting and tourism as urban development progressed and the population grew. Concurrently, the rise of automobiles introduced competition, fostering an environment that spurred transportation development in the Taipei-Xindian corridor.Beyond its role in freight and commuter transport, the Taipei Railway was instrumental in facilitating tourism to the Xindian region. Notable attractions along the railway included Bitan in Xindian and Wulai Hot Springs, both of which became popular destinations for short excursions and summer retreats. Their proximity to Taipei, coupled with the convenience of railway access, positioned them as ideal leisure destinations for city residents.The Taipei Railway also served as a vital mode of transportation for students and faculty of Taihoku Imperial University (now National Taiwan University). In addition to academic commuting, the railway was a primary transport option for Xindian residents traveling to Taipei and Taipei residents commuting to Xindian, as alternative transportation options were relatively limited, leading to high reliance on the railway.This study contends that the Taipei Railway was not merely a conduit for freight and passenger transport but also played an indispensable role in education, tourism, and wartime logistics. From supporting the movement of goods in the Wenshan area to bridging urban life with natural attractions, and facilitating daily commuting and wartime evacuations, the Taipei Railway exemplifies the multifaceted role of colonial infrastructure and its contributions to modernization during the Japanese era.