TRA unveils one-day pass

Northeast Coast National Scenic Area Administration chief Chen Mei-kang, left, Tourism Bureau Director General Janice Lai, second left, and Taiwan Railway Administration Director General Frank Fan, second right, yesterday hold up a board showing the route along which a new one-day railway pass can be used. PHOTO: CNA

The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) introduced its one-day railway pass yesterday, allowing passengers to travel along the nation's northeast coast for NT$130.

With the pass, passengers can freely board and exit a train at any station along the designated route, without additional charge.

The scheme is the result of cooperation between TRA and the Tourism Bureau. With the Northeast Coast National Scenic Administration scheduled to hold its annual Silver Grass Season on the Caoling Historical Trail (草嶺古道) next month, the Tourism Bureau asked the TRA to help transport passengers between Rueifang (瑞芳), Taipei County, and Toucheng (頭城), Ilan County, TRA director general Frank Fan (范植谷) said yesterday.

This marks the first time the administration has issued one-day railway passes to the public, he said, adding that every train station between Rueifang and Toucheng, as well as nearby tourist attractions, would be illustrated on the back of the ticket.

Aside from the historical trail, other attractions will be offered, including Jioufen (九份) and Fulong (福隆) Beach.

Fan said the administration could prolong the offer if the route proves popular with tourists.

During a presentation yesterday, the Tourism Bureau also displayed a series of activities that will be held during the Silver Grass Season.

Various reminders of the fact that the trail used to be the main link between the eastern and western regions of the country have been put on display along the route.

With many overseas railway enthusiasts expressing an interest in visiting some of the minor railway lines in Taiwan, TRA and the Tourism Bureau yesterday met representatives from the travel industry to discuss the possibility of organizing railway package tours.

Representatives were hoping to use CK124 -- the TRA's sole steam locomotive still in operation -- to carry the tourists.

The administration has stopped using steam trains on a daily basis. However, it has managed to repair two models, CK101 and CK124. The CK101 is for exhibition use only, while the CK124 remains available, on request.

The Tourism Bureau agreed yesterday to invite 300 passengers -- including Japanese tourists and the press -- to join a test ride on the Pingsi Line (平溪線) on Dec. 28.

Starting in April, TRA will operate the steam train on the Pingsi Line once a month.

Three months of trial operations will be held before the final operating model is decided on.