Taiwan's Rail Fares to Soar: First Hike in Three Decades!

Get Ready for a Price Bump on Taiwan's Railway: Here's What You Need to Know.

Taipei, April 7 – Taiwan's beloved railway system is preparing for a significant change. Taiwan Railway Corp. is slated to increase ticket prices for the first time in three decades, with the adjustments expected to take effect in late June.

During a recent hearing, Wu Sheng-yuan (伍勝園), the acting chair of the state-owned company, confirmed the plan. The Cabinet has reviewed and approved an average fare increase of 26.8 percent, although the exact new prices are yet to be officially announced. The company is obligated to make this announcement at least a month before the fare changes take effect.

According to previously released data from Taiwan Railway, which officially became a corporation on January 1, 2024, the rate of increase will vary depending on the distance traveled. This means longer journeys will see relatively smaller increases.

For example, a Tze-Chiang express train ride from Taipei to Kaohsiung will rise from NT$824 (US$24.88) to NT$975, representing an 18.33 percent increase. In contrast, a ticket on the same train from Taipei to Taichung will see a more significant jump, rising 33.6 percent from NT$375 to NT$501.

The fare adjustment received approval from the company's board of directors in early February, as a measure to address the company's financial deficit.

In 2024, the firm reported a deficit of NT$13.79 billion, with approximately NT$10.1 billion stemming from railway operations.

The implementation of the new fares is anticipated to generate over NT$4 billion in additional annual revenue for the company.