TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) will cancel a total of 86 train services between Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 6-7), with an additional 13 services operating on a shortened route due to the Railway Staff Promotion Examination (交通事業鐵路人員升資考試).
As the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) gears up for corporatization in 2024, at least 297 drivers have signed up for the exam conducted by the Examination Yuan, leading to a significant staff shortage.
To mitigate the shortage, TRA has resorted to adjusting the schedules of drivers who didn't take the examination this time, enlisting a reserve workforce, cross-unit drivers, and driving supervisors to fill the gap.
Some freight train services and special train operations have been suspended. Despite such measures, the administration faces a shortage of 60 crew members, leading to a marked effect on railway schedules.
On Monday, 63 train services were canceled, with an additional 13 services operating on a shortened route. And on Tuesday (Nov. 7), another 23 train services will be canceled.
The Jiji Line, in particular, suffered on both days, with its entire service suspended. To compensate, TRA launched a shuttle bus service between Ershui Station and Checheng Station.