TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) reported record-breaking figures for 2023, with over 70 million passengers and a revenue of NT$49.8 billion, resulting in a pre-tax net profit of NT$9.7 billion. The company aims to surpass NT$50 billion in revenue this year.
Commuters, however, are feeling the strain of the rail's success. A regular commuter surnamed Lin, who frequently travels between Taipei, Yunlin, and Chiayi, said that trains are often so full during peak hours that even a standing room is unavailable. Meanwhile, tickets are often sold out the day before regular holidays.
As the Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival holiday approaches, the HSR is bracing for another surge in passengers. Social media users have noted that overcrowding, once a problem only during holidays, is now a daily occurrence. Some passengers have even resorted to sneaking into business class from non-reserved seating areas.
THSRC has planned to operate trains between Nankang and Taichung, with eight carriages designated as non-reserved seating to better serve commuters in response to the overcrowding during commuting hours.
To handle peak travel periods during holidays and mass transit times, THSRC will continue to increase the number of trains and plan extra trains during mass transit periods to better serve the needs of passengers returning home.
The company will continue to expand its commuting capacity and balance the needs of reserved and non-reserved seat passengers based on booking conditions.