The popularity of the Taiwan Railway Administration's (TRA) cruise train service to Hualien and Taitung has encouraged railway officials to plan more short-distance cruise trains that would run along the east coast next month.
Cyclists would also be allowed to board the cruise trains as they could place their bicycles in modified train cabins.
The nation's largest railway service began offering cruise train services nationwide in August. It has started cruise trains on the South Link (南迴線), the North and Northeast coasts, as well as along Hualien and Taitung, which are popular tourist destinations.
To promote its services, the TRA has teamed up with the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration, the organizer of the annual Hot Spring Carnival, to offer a special cruise train that runs from Taipei to Rueisuei (瑞穗) Station.
Visitors going to the carnival by cruise train would receive a NT$50 rebate if they stay in any hot spring hotel that participates in the carnival.
The first cruise train to Rueisuei was launched yesterday. Tickets, however, were all sold out in a pre-sale session last Tuesday.
Lee Yen-po (李彥伯), a transportation division chief at the railway administration, said the bicycle cabins would be added to short-distance cruise trains, which would mainly operate between Hualien and Wanrong (萬榮) stations in Hualien County.
The cruise train service from Taipei to Rueisuei left Taipei at 7:15am and made a 10-minute stop at Hualien before moving on to Rueisuei.
Tickets cost NT$820 each, with children enjoying a 50 percent discount.
As the railway between Hualien and Taitung is not powered by electricity, the cruise trains switch to diesel-operated locomotives at Hualien.
There are also volunteers on the trains from the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration to introduce visitors to tourist attractions during the trip.
Some of the small stations between Hualien and Taitung are known for their traditional snacks, including sushi at Shoufeng (壽豐), red-bean jelly at Yuli (玉里) and lunch boxes in Chishang (池上).
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