First Taiwan Railway Ticket Price Hike in 30 Years Hits Commuters Hard

TaiwanPlus News

Many Taiwan Railway passengers were caught off guard by higher ticket prices on Monday.  Taiwan Railway Corporation's price hike was the first in 30 years.

Transcript

00:00Here at Taiping Main Station, commuters and travelers from all over the country rely on Taiwan Railway,

00:05the country's oldest public transportation system, to get to where they need to be every day.

00:10But starting on June 23rd, passengers will need deeper pockets to catch a train.

00:15Please proceed to counter number 3.

00:18For the first time in 30 years, Taiwan's state-owned rail corporation is raising ticket prices.

00:24Commuters will have to pay an average of 26.8 percent more.

00:28Fares for shorter routes will rise more steeply, while longer-distance trips will see smaller hikes.

00:35The decision has to support of the central government.

00:50Taiwan Railway maintained the same fare for decades,

00:53through inflation, fatal accidents and natural disasters, and rising maintenance costs.

00:58But after losing more than 460 million U.S. dollars in 2024 alone,

01:04Taiwan Rail says the fare hike is part of broader reforms launched since its commercialization last year.

01:10The company expects Monday's price hike to increase annual revenue by at least 130 million U.S. dollars.

01:17And while the rail system remains one of the cheapest ways to travel the country,

01:20those who rely on the system are fueling the impact.

01:23I want to go from Taipei to Newstos,

01:26that's the first time when I come to Pennsylvania.

01:26That's the first time when I go to台北,

01:27that's true.

01:27That's the first time when I come toinsu.

01:28That's the first time when I come toпер

01:47Taiwan Rail has also launched a membership program for passengers in eastern Taiwan,

02:03an area where weather and earthquakes lead to frequent delays and cancellations.

02:08These passengers will receive a 5-8% discount,

02:11part of an effort to support travelers in a region with few other affordable transport options.

02:17Because I was in Hualien, I was in school, so when I went to Taipei, it was a price.

02:23So when I came back, it was pretty expensive, it was a lot of influence.

02:30But the hikes are not a cure-all for Taiwan Railway's financial woes.

02:34They would not affect the hundreds of thousands of commuters

02:36that purchase monthly all-in-one tickets known as TPAS.

02:40That means the government will still need to provide subsidies to cover the difference.

02:44And while paying more for train tickets may put a dent in someone's savings,

02:48it can now be their only option to travel safely and on time.

02:51Howard, Dan Nying Lin, in Taipei, for Taiwan Plus.

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