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TRA announces more stops at second-tier cities

"In the past, we've never factored in the costs of electricity and fuel when we evaluate ticket prices." — Frank Fan, TRA director general

Facing competition from the high-speed rail system, the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) announced that its express-train services would stop more frequently at some of the nation’s second-tier cities.

TRA Director General Frank Fan (范植谷) said on Wednesday that the administration had decided to abandon the strategy of adding more non-stop long-distance express trains to its timetable.

Rather, he said, the administration would focus on second-tier cities where the high-speed rail service is not available, such as Jhongli (中壢), Fengyuan (豐原), Yuanlin (員林), Douliou (斗六) and Shinying (新營).

Fan said that because new EMU700-model commuter trains and tilting trains, such as the Taroko Express, are expected to arrive soon, it may have to adjust its timetable next month. The changes, he said, would be substantial.

Fan said the administration has already worked out most timetable changes, with some minor issues remaining to be resolved. He said that it is planning to add another express train to the daily Changhua-Hualien via Taipei route.

Fan said the service has proven popular, with an occupancy rate between 60 percent and 70 percent on weekdays and 100 percent on weekends and national holidays.

Meanwhile, the administration also plans to shorten the intervals for commuter trains operating daily between Keelung and Hsinchu. On average, a commuter train will run every seven to eight minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes off peak.

When asked if the administration would adjust ticket prices in response to the increases in electricity and fuel charges, Fan said that it was unlikely.

“In the past, we’ve never factored in the costs of electricity and fuel when we evaluate ticket prices,” he said.

However, Fan said, the administration has to raise prices for some commuter trains, adding that the new government would determine a more appropriate time to unveil the new price scheme.

In related news, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp yesterday unveiled regulations for bringing bicycles and pets on board trains.

The company said it decided to make the regulations public a year after its launch because it has found that many passengers have similar questions.

According to the new regulations, each large carry-on package may not exceed 150cm in length and 40kg in weight. Bicycles must be wrapped in a large plastic sheet and placed in a luggage room in each cabin.

In principle, animals are banned from boarding the trains, except for police dogs and guide dogs.

Should a passenger need to bring a pet on board, the animal must be placed in a container of no more that 55cm in length, 45cm in width and 38cm in height.

Passengers must put the containers under their seats, and they also need to ensure that excrement or fluids must not leak from the containers.
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