TAIPEI (TVBS News)—Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) emphasized on Thursday (Sept. 26) that the government respects the Taiwan High Speed Rail's (THSR, 台灣高鐵) pricing decisions but urged consideration for commuters and environmental goals.
THSR plans to adjust its fares, citing significant operational cost increases and an upcoming funding shortfall. The company revealed that fares have remained unchanged for 17 years. Due to ongoing updates and replacements, the company anticipates a peak funding gap by 2026.
Chen stressed the importance of public transportation for convenience and carbon reduction, encouraging people to use public transit instead of driving.
2026 THSR will introduce 12 new-generation trains at approximately NT$27.7 billion. The company will also build a large maintenance factory and update core electromechanical systems, among other significant capital expenditures. Improvements to customer-friendly facilities will accompany these updates.
THSR stated that fare adjustments follow annual reviews by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC, 交通部) based on changes in the General Index of Consumer Prices (GICP). The current fares have been the same since operations began in 2007, despite a 25.7% cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase over 17 years, leading to a substantial rise in overall operational costs.
