Taiwan Railway to raise fares for the first time in 30 years

Taiwan Railway Corporation (TRC) will implement its first fare hike in three decades, with new ticket prices taking effect on June 23, 2025, according to acting chair Wu Sheng-yuan.

Taiwan Railway, officially corporatized in 2024, operates the island’s traditional rail network alongside Taiwan High Speed Rail. While widely used for daily commuting and intercity travel, it still relies on many century-old tunnels and bridges, some dating back to the Japanese colonial era. Few know that the network includes rare spiral tracks in mountainous areas like the South Link Line, built to conquer steep gradients without expensive viaducts. In 2023, Taiwan Railway carried over 115 million passengers, and despite financial challenges, it remains a vital part of the country’s public transit system. Photo: Industrial Wales, Flickr CC BY 2.0

The increase — an average of 26.8% — comes as the state-owned company tries to reduce its massive financial deficit. The change has already been reviewed and approved by Taiwan's Cabinet, and a formal public announcement is expected soon. By law, the fare adjustment must be announced at least one month before going into effect.

How much will fares go up?

The fare adjustments vary depending on the distance traveled, with shorter trips experiencing higher percentage increases. Here are some examples of the fare changes, converted to U.S. dollars based on an exchange rate of NT$31.5 to US$1:​

• Taipei to Taichung (Tze-Chiang Express):

  Old Fare: NT$375 (~$11.90)​

  New Fare: NT$501 (~$15.90)​

  Increase: 33.6%​

• Taipei to Xinzuoying, Kaohsiung (Tze-Chiang Express):

  Old Fare: NT$824 (~$26.16)​

  New Fare: NT$975 (~$30.95)​

  Increase: 18.3%​

  
  

• Taipei to Banqiao (Local Train):

  Old Fare: NT$15 (~$0.48)​

  New Fare: NT$22 (~$0.70)​

  Increase: 46.7%​

  
  

Why now?

Taiwan Railway was officially corporatized on January 1, 2024, and is now facing the challenge of making its operations more financially sustainable. In 2024, the company reported a deficit of NT$13.79 billion, including NT$10.1 billion from railway operations alone.

With the new fares, the company expects to raise over NT$4 billion in additional annual revenue, helping to close the gap and invest in service improvements.

What’s next for passengers?

Commuters and travelers across Taiwan are being urged to check updated fare tables when they’re released in May. While the hike may be unpopular among some passengers, the company stresses that the changes are essential for modernizing Taiwan’s aging railway network and maintaining reliable services.

Taiwan’s trains are known for being reliable, but not quite as famously punctual as Japan’s. While major express routes like the Tze-Chiang Limited Express typically run on time, occasional delays occur—especially on rural or single-track lines. Still, Taiwan Railway maintains a strong reputation for consistency, with modern upgrades like the EMU3000 trains further improving punctuality across the network. Photo: billy1125, Wikipedia CC BY 2.0

Key facts about Taiwan Railway

General information

• Name: Taiwan Railways Corporation (TRC)

• Formerly: Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA)

• Corporatized: January 1, 2024 (from a government agency to a state-owned company)

• Parent Agency: Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan

• Network Length: Over 1,100 km

• Stations: Over 240 stations nationwide

• Main Lines: Western Line, Eastern Line, South Link Line, North Link Line, and branch lines

Taiwan's railway systems have experienced significant fluctuations in passenger numbers over recent years, influenced by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts.​

Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Ridership

• 2020: 57.24 million passengers​

• 2021: 43.46 million passengers​

• 2022: 54.16 million passengers​

• 2023: 73.09 million passengers ​

  
  

The THSR saw a significant drop in ridership in 2021 due to the pandemic but rebounded strongly in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) Ridership

• 2018: 231.27 million passengers

• 2020: 203.5 million passengers 

• 2024 (December): 115.24 million passengers (monthly data)

The TRA's ridership has also been affected by the pandemic, with a notable decrease in 2020. However, monthly data from December 2024 indicates a recovery trend.​

These figures highlight the resilience and adaptability of Taiwan's railway systems in the face of global challenges.

Coverage

• Connects major cities including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung

• Serves rural, coastal, and mountainous regions

• Integrates with MRT systems, buses, and the Taiwan High Speed Rail

Train types

• Tze-Chiang Limited Express: Fastest and most comfortable, with assigned seats

• Chu-Kuang Express: Mid-level intercity service

• Fu-Hsing Semi Express: Older, gradually being phased out

• Local Trains: Stop at all stations, most affordable

• EMU3000 series: New high-performance tilting trains introduced in recent years

Modernization and projects

• Electrification: Nearly complete across the main network

• Double-tracking projects: Expanding capacity in eastern and southern regions

• EMU3000 trainsets: Built by Hitachi, improving comfort and punctuality

• Smart station systems and contactless ticketing being phased in

Lesser-known facts

• Some tunnels and bridges date back over 100 years, built during the Japanese era (1895–1945)

• The South Link Line includes spiral track segments to manage elevation changes without steep gradients

• A «Railway Bento» culture has flourished—TRC sells iconic lunchboxes on many trains

• Fan-favorite heritage trains, including steam locomotives and themed cars, are operated for tourism and nostalgia