The Taiwan Railway Administra-tion (TRA, 台鐵) reported yesterday that its losses for next year will reach NT$9.9 billion (US$295.52 million).
Taiwan Railway Administrator Hsu Ta-wen (徐達文) made the remarks when reporting on the TRA's budget for next year at a meeting of the legislature's Transportation Committee, which is reviewing the budget for next year.
The projected losses mark an increase over losses for this year. Hsu attributed the increase to the high-speed railway, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on Oct. 31 next year, as well as rising interest rates.
Although the high-speed railway will operate for only two months next year, the TRA stands to lose NT$3 billion on its western routes alone next year.
The TRA is scheduled to propose to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications a price scheme after the Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29.
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