New train fares are expected to take effect on June 23, after the Executive Yuan approved the Taiwan Railway Corp’s (TRC) request to increase ticket prices, TRC Acting Chairman Wu Sheng-yuan (伍勝園) said today.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications approved the request on Feb. 21, with fares increasing by 26.8 percent on average in the first rate hike since 1995.
Rates would depend on the kind of train and the distance traveled, the ministry said, adding that fares would increase by a lower percentage the further the travel.
Photo: Wu Liang-yi, Taipei Times
For example, fares for local trains running from Taipei to Banciao (板橋) would increase from NT$15 to NT$22 (US$0.45 to US$0.66), while travel from Taipei to Hsinchu would increase from NT$114 to NT$163, it said.
Fares for Tze-Chiang Express trains traveling from Taipei to Hsinchu would rise from NT$177 to NT$253, Taipei to Hualien from NT$440 to NT$583, and Taipei to Zuoying (左營) from NT$824 to NT$975, it said.
Passengers enrolled in the TPASS program would not see any changes to pricing and would continue to enjoy unlimited rides within their program areas, the ministry added.
The Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee reviewed the TRC’s request and asked questions today.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Liao Hsien-hsiang (廖先翔) said he supports reasonable fare hikes.
If the economically disadvantaged have trouble, this issue should be resolved through social welfare, rather than freezing train prices and stalling the improvement of public transportation, Liao said.
However, with the global economy fluctuating violently right now, if the domestic economy encounters difficulties, the TRC should consider annual, gradual fare hikes rather than raising fares by 26.8 percent at once, he said.
Wu said that while those who take short-distance train rides would be the most affected, these people mostly use TPASS and therefore their fares would not increase.
In addition, the fare from Taipei to Banciao would only increase by NT$7, still leaving it cheaper than the MRT or public buses, he said.
Last year, the railway firm recorded a deficit of NT$13.79 billion, including about NT$10.1 billion from railway operations.
The new fares are expected to boost the company's annual revenue by more than NT$4 billion.
Meanwhile, high-speed rail fares are to remain the same for now, as traffic volumes and revenue are continuing to increase, Wu said.
After two years when new stock is purchased and costs increase would be a more appropriate time to discuss pricing adjustments for the high-speed rail, he added.
Additional reporting by CNA
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