Express trains to be consigned to history

Long-distance trains such as the Chukuang Express (莒光號) and Fuhsing Express (復興號) will soon become history as the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) plans to streamline its train services and reform its ticketing system.

The changes come in response to the opening of the new Taipei-Ilan highway and the planned launch of the high speed rail later this year.

The policy could become effective as early as October, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

Currently, the administration offers Tzechiang Express (自強號) trains, Chukuang and Fuhsing trains, as well as short-distance commuter trains and regular trains that make frequent stops along their routes. Under the new plan, these would be replaced with two categories of train service.

Under the existing system, the Tzechiang Express, the highest class of service offered by the administration, stops only at major train stations. Below it are the Chukuang and Fuhsing trains, which add a few more stops to their routes.

Minster of Transportation and Communications Kuo Yao-chi (郭瑤琪) said last week that the proposed change would mean the administration will offer two classes of service, long-distance trains and short-distance commuter trains.

Long-distance trains would provide services similar to express trains, while short-distance commuter trains would be defined as those operating within a range of 30km from the departure station and which arrive at their destinations within 30 to 40 minutes.

Kuo said the preliminary plan was aimed at dealing with the impact of the Chiang Wei-hsui Freeway on the TRA's operations and to prepare for the official launch of the Taiwan High Speed Rail in October.

The administration has been ordered to hand in a more detailed plan on ticket prices next month.

Kuo said the cancellation of the two types of express trains would not affect the train schedule.

Taiwan High Speed Rail will not provide many trains in the short term as it begins operations, she said, commuters will still rely on the train services provided by the administration.

The proposal was announced when Kuo met with the press on Wednesday night, in which she further addressed the need for the administration to create a new business model and reposition its role in the nation's transportation system.

"If we consider the high speed rail as an advanced transportation system that can meet the demand for speed when traveling long distance," Kuo said, "then the railways can be seen as a transportation vehicle that can operate within short distances at a slower pace and act as tourist attractions."

She added that the administration intended to seek alternative sources of revenue.