Taiwan High Speed Rail Major Delay Prompts Investigation, Credibility of Third-Party Agency Questioned
Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) experienced its most severe delay in recent years on May 25, affecting over 114,000 passengers. THSR will form a joint investigation team with the original manufacturer and third-party agencies, including the Railway Technology Research and Verification Center (RTRVC) and the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology Railway Technology Center. Lawmakers questioned the credibility of RTRVC, citing its board members are mostly from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and THSR. The MOTC defended the arrangement, stating the board and technical staff are separate.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 15:39
- 🔍 Collected: June 4, 2026 at 15:54 (15 min after Published)
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(Central News Agency, reporter Huang Chiao-wen, Taipei, June 4) Regarding the major delay of Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) in May, THSR will conduct a joint investigation with the original manufacturer and third-party agencies. Among these, the credibility of the Railway Technology Research and Verification Center (RTRVC) has been questioned by lawmakers. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) stated that the board members of RTRVC and the technical investigators are two separate matters, and that another third-party unit, the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) Railway Technology Center, is also involved.
The delay incident on May 25 was the most severe in recent years, caused by an anomaly that occurred for the first time during the replacement of a switch machine control cabinet (SMC) power module. The last major operational anomaly dates back to a signal malfunction in 2013.
THSR Chairman Shih Che gave a special report to the Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan today. He stated that the true cause of the incident will be identified as soon as possible. An investigation team comprising personnel from the original manufacturer, third-party agencies, and THSR will be formed for joint analysis and investigation. The third-party agencies include the RTRVC and the NKUST Railway Technology Center.
Kuomintang Legislator Lu Ming-che questioned during the interpellation that the Chairman of RTRVC is Huang Yun-gui, who recently stepped down as Director of the MOTC's Department of Railways and Highways, and the CEO is former Deputy Director-General of the Railway Bureau Chen Wen-te. Furthermore, Railway Bureau Director General Yang Cheng-chun and THSR Chairman Shih Che both serve as directors. Lu questioned, "They are all our own people, passing it from the left hand to the right. This will make people question its credibility."
MOTC Minister Chen Shih-kai pointed out that there is not just one third-party unit, but two.
Railway Bureau Director General Yang Cheng-chun explained that RTRVC was originally established and subsidized by the MOTC. Its mandate and tasks are for the development of railway technology and to assist the MOTC in technical analysis for accident investigations. "The board members of RTRVC and the actual technical personnel are two different things," Yang said.
Yang stated that from the MOTC's perspective, after the Jiasian earthquake, since Taiwan did not have such a research institution at the time, subsequent simulation, investigation, and analysis work was entrusted to the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) of Japan. In the long run, although this is the first time RTRVC is performing related work, the MOTC hopes to use this opportunity to help domestic public welfare foundations build professional capacity.
Kuomintang Legislator Huang Chien-hao inquired about the timeline for the third-party investigation. Shih Che replied, "It won't be next year," adding that a buffer period must be given to the third-party impartial unit, and they will be asked to submit a report as soon as possible.
According to THSR's written report, on May 25, a total of 113 trains arrived at their terminals with delays greater than 5 minutes, affecting 114,908 people. It is estimated that approximately 66,161 passengers are eligible for delay refunds, with a total refundable amount of NT$35,259,441. (Editor: Wu Su-rou) 1150604
The delay incident on May 25 was the most severe in recent years, caused by an anomaly that occurred for the first time during the replacement of a switch machine control cabinet (SMC) power module. The last major operational anomaly dates back to a signal malfunction in 2013.
THSR Chairman Shih Che gave a special report to the Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan today. He stated that the true cause of the incident will be identified as soon as possible. An investigation team comprising personnel from the original manufacturer, third-party agencies, and THSR will be formed for joint analysis and investigation. The third-party agencies include the RTRVC and the NKUST Railway Technology Center.
Kuomintang Legislator Lu Ming-che questioned during the interpellation that the Chairman of RTRVC is Huang Yun-gui, who recently stepped down as Director of the MOTC's Department of Railways and Highways, and the CEO is former Deputy Director-General of the Railway Bureau Chen Wen-te. Furthermore, Railway Bureau Director General Yang Cheng-chun and THSR Chairman Shih Che both serve as directors. Lu questioned, "They are all our own people, passing it from the left hand to the right. This will make people question its credibility."
MOTC Minister Chen Shih-kai pointed out that there is not just one third-party unit, but two.
Railway Bureau Director General Yang Cheng-chun explained that RTRVC was originally established and subsidized by the MOTC. Its mandate and tasks are for the development of railway technology and to assist the MOTC in technical analysis for accident investigations. "The board members of RTRVC and the actual technical personnel are two different things," Yang said.
Yang stated that from the MOTC's perspective, after the Jiasian earthquake, since Taiwan did not have such a research institution at the time, subsequent simulation, investigation, and analysis work was entrusted to the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) of Japan. In the long run, although this is the first time RTRVC is performing related work, the MOTC hopes to use this opportunity to help domestic public welfare foundations build professional capacity.
Kuomintang Legislator Huang Chien-hao inquired about the timeline for the third-party investigation. Shih Che replied, "It won't be next year," adding that a buffer period must be given to the third-party impartial unit, and they will be asked to submit a report as soon as possible.
According to THSR's written report, on May 25, a total of 113 trains arrived at their terminals with delays greater than 5 minutes, affecting 114,908 people. It is estimated that approximately 66,161 passengers are eligible for delay refunds, with a total refundable amount of NT$35,259,441. (Editor: Wu Su-rou) 1150604