THSR Approaches 20 Years, Shi Zhe Continues at the Helm; Facing the Challenge of "Changing Clothes While Wearing Them"
Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) has re-elected Shi Zhe as Chairman. Passenger volume is expected to hit a record 83.87 million in 2026. As it approaches its 20th anniversary, the company faces the challenge of upgrading equipment while maintaining daily operations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 27, 2026 at 18:55
- 🔍 Collected: May 31, 2026 at 23:45 (100h 50m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 00:56 (25h 10m after Collected)
The Board of Directors of Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) re-elected Shi Zhe as Chairman today. THSRC estimates that passenger volume in 2026 will reach 83.877 million, expected to hit another record high. However, as it approaches 20 years of operation, the pressure for equipment renewal is emerging. Shi Zhe frankly admitted that promoting software and hardware replacement while maintaining daily operations is like the challenge of "changing clothes while wearing them."
THSRC held its 2026 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders this morning. In addition to passing the 2025 business report and financial statements, and the 2025 earnings distribution, it completed the election of the 11th Board of Directors. Subsequently, the Board of Directors was convened, and Shi Zhe, representative of the China Aviation Development Foundation, was re-elected as Chairman.
In his speech, Chairman Shi Zhe specifically apologized for the signal abnormality that occurred on May 25.
Shi Zhe emphasized that THSR is approaching 20 years of operation and is currently carrying out many software and hardware equipment replacement tasks. However, because it must take into account daily operations at the same time, it is necessary to "change clothes while wearing them." When the abnormality was discovered early on the 25th and could not be cleared before the start of operations, operational adjustments were immediately initiated, but the obstacle could not be cleared at the first time. He thanked passengers for their understanding and cooperation with THSR during the emergency repair and operational adjustment process.
THSRC stated that considering economic growth, population growth, digital services, convenience of ticket purchasing, promotion of membership services, and travel products, the passenger volume in 2026 is expected to be about 83.877 million.
In addition, in order to distribute dividends based on stable and balanced principles, THSRC had a distributable surplus of over NT$9.636 billion by the end of 2025, with a cash dividend of NT$1.15 per share.
In response to the continuous growth in passenger volume, THSRC stated that it will add 25 trains from July 1, 2025, increasing the total weekly trains from 1,103 to 1,128. The seat utilization rate is 71.59%. The total transport volume for the whole year of 2025 reached 82.07 million, hitting a new high, an increase of 4.88% compared to 2024, reflecting the high demand for intercity transport in the western corridor. The average daily number of passengers for the whole year was about 225,000, an increase of about 11,000 from 214,000 in 2024.
THSRC also stated that the average annual punctuality rate last year was 99.31%, which was slightly lower than in 2024 due to natural disasters; the average annual departure rate reached 100% excluding the impact of natural disasters.
THSRC held its 2026 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders this morning. In addition to passing the 2025 business report and financial statements, and the 2025 earnings distribution, it completed the election of the 11th Board of Directors. Subsequently, the Board of Directors was convened, and Shi Zhe, representative of the China Aviation Development Foundation, was re-elected as Chairman.
In his speech, Chairman Shi Zhe specifically apologized for the signal abnormality that occurred on May 25.
Shi Zhe emphasized that THSR is approaching 20 years of operation and is currently carrying out many software and hardware equipment replacement tasks. However, because it must take into account daily operations at the same time, it is necessary to "change clothes while wearing them." When the abnormality was discovered early on the 25th and could not be cleared before the start of operations, operational adjustments were immediately initiated, but the obstacle could not be cleared at the first time. He thanked passengers for their understanding and cooperation with THSR during the emergency repair and operational adjustment process.
THSRC stated that considering economic growth, population growth, digital services, convenience of ticket purchasing, promotion of membership services, and travel products, the passenger volume in 2026 is expected to be about 83.877 million.
In addition, in order to distribute dividends based on stable and balanced principles, THSRC had a distributable surplus of over NT$9.636 billion by the end of 2025, with a cash dividend of NT$1.15 per share.
In response to the continuous growth in passenger volume, THSRC stated that it will add 25 trains from July 1, 2025, increasing the total weekly trains from 1,103 to 1,128. The seat utilization rate is 71.59%. The total transport volume for the whole year of 2025 reached 82.07 million, hitting a new high, an increase of 4.88% compared to 2024, reflecting the high demand for intercity transport in the western corridor. The average daily number of passengers for the whole year was about 225,000, an increase of about 11,000 from 214,000 in 2024.
THSRC also stated that the average annual punctuality rate last year was 99.31%, which was slightly lower than in 2024 due to natural disasters; the average annual departure rate reached 100% excluding the impact of natural disasters.
FAQ
What does "changing clothes while wearing them" mean?
It is a metaphor for the difficult task of upgrading equipment while maintaining daily operations.