TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Railway Corporation (臺灣鐵路) has not adjusted its fares for nearly 30 years, prompting Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) on Thursday (Dec. 12) to suggest a pragmatic discussion on fare increases after the Lunar New Year. Taiwan Railway completed its corporatization earlier this year. In September, the board of directors first discussed a fare increase proposal but sent it back for revision. The upcoming board meeting on Dec. 17 will not address the fare issue either.
Chen noted that Taiwan Railway's fares are cheaper than buses and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), underlining the need for a realistic fare adjustment to support operational normalization. Chen shared insights from interactions with the newly hired youth at Taiwan Railway, who expressed hope for the company's future and emphasized revenue's role in achieving operational stability.
He acknowledged the public's high expectations for Taiwan Railway's service and assured that, while prioritizing safety, the company is making slow progress in other areas. The fare adjustment process requires the board's initial discussion, submission to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部), review by the fare review committee, and final approval by the Executive Yuan (行政院). Chen reiterated his respect for the Transportation Committee's opinions in the Legislative Yuan (立法院交通委員會).
