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TRA to let passengers bring bicycles on board in trial runs of commuter trains

The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) is hoping to attract passengers next month by allowing cyclists to bring their bikes on board on specified days.

TRA Director-General Frank Fan (范植谷) said yesterday that the administration would run trials of the service on March 8, as the nation celebrates International Women's Day, and again on April 19 and May 17.

SIJHIH-MIAOLI

On those days, passengers will be able to board a morning train at Sijhih (汐止) station in Taipei county. The train, an EMU500-model commuter train, will leave Sijhih at 6:44am for Miaoli, stopping at Songshan (松山), Wanhua (萬華), Shulin (樹林), Taoyuan, Jhongli (中壢) and Hsinchu along the way.

The train will begin its return trip from Miaoli at 4:06pm.

After the trials, the administration will evaluate the demand for such a service before possibly starting a regular train service for passengers with bikes.

Ticket prices will follow the normal rates for commuter trains, but each passenger will be required to purchase two tickets to help cover the cost of the service.

PASSENGER COUNT

The trains on the three trial dates will be canceled if less than six passengers show up for the morning departure from Sijhih.

The administration will give a 20 percent discount if there are 10 or more passengers on the train, a 35 percent discount if there are 25 passengers and a 50 percent discount if there are 50 or more passengers.

The train can accommodate a maximum of 240 passengers, Fan said.
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