TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC, 高鐵公司) on Wednesday (April 30) released its first report on a rare incident where a train bypassed a scheduled stop early April. The company identified four major mistakes by the driver, who will face a three-month suspension and disciplinary action.
A THSR northbound train, No. 204, missed its scheduled 8:26 a.m. stop at Banqiao Station on April 14, and continued to Taipei, affecting 150 passengers. THSR initiated an investigation to determine whether mechanical failure or driver error caused the incident.
The investigation revealed that as Train No. 204 approached the Taoyuan section, the driver received a radio message from the control center about a temporary speed limit of 70 at Banqiao Station. Despite confirming the message, the driver grew confused over operational instructions and failed to clarify with the control center.
As Train No. 204 neared Banqiao Station, the driver switched to manual control, bypassing the automated stop system. Upon stopping, the driver was checking for operational changes on a tablet when the conductor reminded him to release the door controls. Before the conversation concluded, the train's path cleared, and the driver departed without verifying the onboard computer's departure time.
The company attributed the incident to the driver's failure to adhere to four key regulations, stating that compliance with any one of them could have prevented the event. To address the issue, the company will suspend the driver, provide special training, and conduct assessments over three months before reinstatement. The case will also undergo review by the disciplinary committee for appropriate action.