The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) announced yesterday that it has worked with EZ Travel to reintroduce the “Formosa Express” (環島之星).
Various tours will be offered, from one-day trips to Taroko Gorge to seven-day round-island packages, the TRA said.
The travel agency will also provide package tours for two, three and four day tours, with prices ranging from NT$2,500 to NT$19,000.
PHOTO: LIU HSIN-DE, TAIPEI TIMES
The two parties first joined forces to launch the Formosa Star. Having asked Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara to promote it, the Formosa Star soon became a hit with Japanese tourists as well as Taiwanese travelers but seat sales slumped during the global economic downturn.
After the contract expired last April the TRA held four unsuccessful bidding sessions to find a new partner. EZ Travel renewed their contract with the TRA after further negotiations.
The colorfully painted Formosa Express has business-class cars and a lounge car. The lounge car is equipped with dining tables and a karaoke bar.
Two Formosa Express trains will depart daily at 6:12am and 8:15am from Taipei, one heading to the east coast and the other operating along the west coast.
The TRA said passengers will be served snacks including red bean cakes from the Grand Hotel, cupcakes with longan fruit from Changhwa’s Bao Zhen Xian Pastry Store and Donghe steamed buns from Taitung.
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