TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — Taiwan Railway Corporation (台鐵) announced plans to add 34 special train services to accommodate the thousands of devotees and tourists expected to attend the renowned annual Mazu Pilgrimage (大甲媽祖遶境) in Dajia (大甲). The expanded service will support visitors participating in the pilgrimage and attending cultural performances at Zhenlan Temple (鎮瀾宮) during the peak dates of April 4, 5, and 13. This transportation enhancement aims to ensure smooth travel for participants in one of Taiwan's most significant religious and cultural traditions.
In a press release issued Friday (March 21), the railway corporation detailed that the supplementary services will comprise eight premium Tze-Chiang Limited Express (自強號) trains and 26 local train services strategically scheduled around the pilgrimage dates. The Taiwan Railway Administration will further enhance capacity by attaching additional carriages to 148 regularly scheduled trains operating on April 4, 5, 12, and 13. These comprehensive measures will increase passenger capacity along the coastal railway line by nearly 40%, creating a robust transportation network for the celebrated cultural event.
Travelers planning to attend the festivities can purchase tickets for the additional Tze-Chiang express trains beginning at midnight on March 23. The railway authority has established multiple booking channels, including the official Taiwan Railway website, their dedicated e-booking mobile application, convenience stores throughout the island, and telephone reservation services. Railway officials strongly encourage passengers to verify train schedules and platform information through these digital platforms to ensure a seamless travel experience during the busy pilgrimage period.
The venerated Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage, scheduled to commence at 10:45 p.m. on April 4, will unfold over an intensive journey of nine days and eight nights, drawing participants from across Taiwan and beyond. To further support this cultural phenomenon, Taiwan Railway will operate supplementary northbound and southbound local trains directly to Dajia station while simultaneously introducing the new seasonal Haifeng Tourist Train (海風號觀光列車) routes and ticketing options. Anticipating significant road congestion during the event, Dajia Police Station has issued a public advisory encouraging attendees to utilize public transportation, highlighting both the convenience and aesthetic experience of rail travel while avoiding traffic complications.
