TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) legislator on Monday (Oct. 14) urged Taiwan Railway (台鐵) to freeze ticket prices until the Eastern Line resumes normal operations, securing the railway's commitment and committee approval.
During a discussion on ticket pricing at the Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee (立法院交通委員會), KMT Legislator Huang Chien-pin (黃建賓) highlighted the unfairness of equal pricing for Taitung, which frequently faces rail disruptions, compared to the western region.
He stated that the board is considering a 3% to 5% adjustment, potentially raising the one-way fare for the Tze-Chiang Limited Express (自強號) from Taipei to Kaohsiung and Taipei to Taitung above NT$1,000. Huang stressed the need for a price freeze until the Heren Station (和仁) to Chongde Station (崇德) segment of the Eastern Line is fully operational.
Deputy Transportation Minister Wu Sheng-yuan (伍勝園) promised to coordinate additional flights and integrate road and rail transport to address issues caused by disruptions.
Huang also called for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) to support Taitung's post-typhoon reconstruction, with initial county estimates pegging costs at NT$500 million. Wu assured full support for Taitung and announced plans to reinforce areas affected by landslides.