TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR, 台灣高鐵), the island's premier transportation artery connecting major urban centers, will significantly boost its capacity with 44 additional train services from May 9 to May 12 to accommodate the Mother's Day holiday rush. The transportation authority made this announcement on Wednesday, revealing that ticket sales for these special services will commence at midnight on Friday.
Anticipating a surge in passenger volume during the popular family holiday, THSR will operate a total of 700 trains throughout the four-day period, evenly distributing the supplementary services with 22 additional trains running in each direction. The rail operator strongly urges passengers to secure their bookings early to avoid disappointment.
In a targeted initiative to assist university students returning home for family celebrations, THSR will designate eight special trains on May 9 and May 12 with half-price fares, enhancing their existing student discount programs. For select high-demand routes, the company will also expand capacity by increasing the number of non-reserved seating cars to eight per train.
The carefully crafted schedule enhancement specifically addresses the most congested travel windows along the northern corridor from Taichung toward Taipei, with increased southbound service from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 9 and augmented northbound capacity from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 11. These supplementary trains will service the busy Nangang-Taichung route with stops at all intermediate stations.
