TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) announced plans on Saturday (Dec. 16) to review a potential fare increase will commence in the first quarter of next year, with possible implementation in the latter half of 2023 if approved.
In an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency (CNA), TRA Director Tu Wei said that, following the establishment of a company for the TRA on Jan. 1 next year, any decision regarding fare adjustments would be made by the newly formed company's board of directors. The board will determine the necessity, method, and extent of any price changes before submitting their proposal to the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC).
Despite submitting several versions of fare increase proposals to the MOTC in May this year, TRA has yet to engage in substantive discussions on the matter. MOTC Minister Wang Kwo-tsai voiced his opinion in favor of respecting the independent decisions of the company's board of directors regarding fare adjustments.
Director Tu also noted that after the transition to a company structure, the direct impact of fare adjustments on TRA's operations would decrease, and the government would subsidize any losses incurred due to policy factors under the provisions of the corporatization.
In another exclusive interview with CNA, former MOTC Minister Tan Ho-chen supported the idea of increasing TRA’s ticket prices. He argued that such a move would enable the railway to better comprehend its genuine operational costs and develop effective pricing strategies.