News
TRC to raise ticket prices
Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) Minister Chen Shih-kai has announced that the Taiwan Railway Corporation plans to increase fare prices.
The planned ticket price rise is considered a "necessity" for the rail operator, as fares have remained unchanged for 29 years. The minister also says any adjustments will be made by taking into consideration keeping fares with a range acceptable to the public.
The statement follows reports that the railway corporation is considering hiking fare prices by 35.62%. Any changes will take effect early next year. The increase is expected to mainly impact short-distance routes, with the one-way fare from Taipei to Banqiao rising from NT$15 to NT$20. However, one-way fares for long distance express routes, such as from Taipei to Kaohsiung, will remain under NT$1,000.
The increase has the backing of the Taiwan Railway Union, which says the additional revenue should be used to improve railway safety.
Any proposed fare changes will have to be approved by both the MOTC and the cabinet before they can be implemented.
