After inspecting the traffic flow yesterday at Taipei's Sungshan Airport and the Taipei Railway Station, Premier Yu Shyi-kun said that he was happy that congestion had been kept to a minimum.
"I am satisfied with the transportation flow and I think that overall, there shouldn't be any problem with the transportation flow during the Lunar New Year holiday this year," Yu said.
He was accompanied by Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Lin-san (
Sungshan Airport reported that all flights were on schedule, while CKS International Airport temporarily suspended some flights yesterday morning because of foggy weather. Flights were resumed at 3:30pm.
Taipei Railway Station reported one incident yesterday morning involving a Chu-kuang express heading to Kaohsiung.
Some ticket holders complained that they were unable to board the train because the three carriages they were booked on weren't attached to the train.
The Taiwan Rail Administration placated the angry travellers by arranging for them to be carried aboard a Tzu-chiang express, which arrived at the platform shortly after.
"Compared to the traffic flow last Lunar New Year, operations [at the Taipei Railway Station] are smooth and efficient," said Chou Ching-song (
Chou said that peak passenger flow is expected this afternoon until tomorrow morning at the Taipei Railway Station as more holidaymakers head home for the Lunar New Year holidays.
He said that the first major test of system capacity occurred on Friday afternoon as office workers made their way home.
Chou outlined the reasons for improved efficiency this year.
"Although the Taiwan Railway Administration is running more trains with additional carriages, it also helps that the Lunar New Year holiday period is an extended one this year," Chou said.
The Taiwan Railway Administration commissioned 532 extra trains between Jan. 7 and Jan. 18 to meet the expected load on the rail system.
"We are able to meet the needs of more than 7 million people on the move this holiday period," Chou said.
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