Taiwan High Speed Rail May 25 Major Delay: 66,161 Passengers Eligible for Refunds Totaling Over NT$35.25 Million
A signaling malfunction on the early morning of May 25 caused a full-day disruption for Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSRC), resulting in 34 canceled trains and affecting 114,908 passengers. THSRC estimates that approximately 66,161 passengers meet the criteria for delay compensation, with total refunds exceeding NT$35.25 million. The Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee has requested a special report from the Ministry of Transportation, the Railway Bureau, and THSRC. An investigation team comprising the manufacturer, third-party entities (including the Railway Technology Research and Verification Center and National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology's Railway Technology Center), and THSRC will be formed to determine the root cause.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 10:52
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(Central News Agency, Reporter Huang Chiao-wen, Taipei, June 4) A signaling malfunction on May 25 disrupted the entire day's operations for Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSRC). THSRC estimates that 66,161 passengers are eligible for delay refunds, with the total amount exceeding NT$35.25 million. An investigation team comprising the original manufacturer, third-party entities, and THSRC will be formed to jointly analyze and investigate the incident.
The Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan today invited the Minister of Transportation, the Director-General of the Railway Bureau, and the Chairman of THSRC to deliver a special report on the "Severe Delay Incident of High Speed Rail Trains on May 25."
According to THSRC's written report, the incident occurred at 4:27 AM on May 25. After maintenance personnel performed a replacement operation on a switch machine control cabinet (SMC) power module in the Miaoli section, a signaling malfunction occurred. Through active repairs that day, the affected section was narrowed to approximately 7 kilometers in both directions.
THSRC stated that during the period, it informed passengers of repair progress and the latest operational information through various channels, continuously updated its website and social media, sent over 90,000 SMS messages directly to passengers, and coordinated with Taiwan Railways Administration to initiate inter-agency transportation support.
THSRC stated that its Emergency Operations Center, to ensure normal operations on May 26, instructed that after the last train on May 25 passed, maintenance personnel could enter the site as quickly as possible under safety regulations to begin repairs. Equipment replacement was completed at 1:43 AM on May 26, and the signaling system returned to normal. Another emergency meeting was held at 3:30 AM to confirm all equipment and facilities were functioning normally, after which it announced that operations on May 26 would proceed normally, with all trains running according to schedule.
Regarding the cause of the anomaly, THSRC explained that this was the first time an anomaly occurred during the replacement of a Switch Machine Control Cabinet (SMC) power module. The SMC power module replacement work can only be performed during the 4.5-hour nighttime maintenance window. This work had previously been successfully completed for 371 out of 458 SMC power modules across the entire line.
To clarify the cause of the incident, THSRC stated that it has suspended subsequent work on the SMC power module replacement project until the root cause is determined. The eight components removed from the incident have been sealed by THSRC, stored in a locked cabinet, and are under video surveillance.
THSRC pointed out that an investigation team will be formed, comprising personnel from the original manufacturer, third-party entities, and THSRC, to jointly analyze and investigate. The third-party entities include the Railway Technology Research and Verification Center and the Railway Technology Center of National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology. The timeline for the investigation results will depend on the progress of the third-party investigation.
According to THSRC's report, the originally estimated passenger volume for May 25 was approximately 200,000. In response to the incident, THSRC switched to a backup schedule operating three full-reserved-seat trains per hour in each direction. The actual passenger volume still reached 184,000, over 90% of the estimated volume, demonstrating that the degraded operations mode still provided significant intercity transport functionality.
Tickets meeting the delay refund criteria for that day are eligible for a refund without a handling fee. The report shows that the originally announced schedule had 156 trains, but only 122 trains actually operated, a reduction of 34 trains for the day. A total of 113 trains arrived at their terminals with delays greater than 5 minutes, affecting 114,908 passengers.
As a result of this incident, THSRC estimates that approximately 66,161 passengers meet the criteria for delay refunds, with a total refundable amount of NT$35,259,441. All refunds for these passengers will be processed without a handling fee.
THSRC stated that current mobile tickets can be refunded via the T-Express App before the refund deadline (30 minutes before departure), with the amount returned to the original credit card. For passengers who held mobile tickets on May 25 but did not travel due to the operational changes, they can apply for an online refund through THSRC's smart customer service, with the refund returned to the original credit card. This option is available for one month.
The Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan today invited the Minister of Transportation, the Director-General of the Railway Bureau, and the Chairman of THSRC to deliver a special report on the "Severe Delay Incident of High Speed Rail Trains on May 25."
According to THSRC's written report, the incident occurred at 4:27 AM on May 25. After maintenance personnel performed a replacement operation on a switch machine control cabinet (SMC) power module in the Miaoli section, a signaling malfunction occurred. Through active repairs that day, the affected section was narrowed to approximately 7 kilometers in both directions.
THSRC stated that during the period, it informed passengers of repair progress and the latest operational information through various channels, continuously updated its website and social media, sent over 90,000 SMS messages directly to passengers, and coordinated with Taiwan Railways Administration to initiate inter-agency transportation support.
THSRC stated that its Emergency Operations Center, to ensure normal operations on May 26, instructed that after the last train on May 25 passed, maintenance personnel could enter the site as quickly as possible under safety regulations to begin repairs. Equipment replacement was completed at 1:43 AM on May 26, and the signaling system returned to normal. Another emergency meeting was held at 3:30 AM to confirm all equipment and facilities were functioning normally, after which it announced that operations on May 26 would proceed normally, with all trains running according to schedule.
Regarding the cause of the anomaly, THSRC explained that this was the first time an anomaly occurred during the replacement of a Switch Machine Control Cabinet (SMC) power module. The SMC power module replacement work can only be performed during the 4.5-hour nighttime maintenance window. This work had previously been successfully completed for 371 out of 458 SMC power modules across the entire line.
To clarify the cause of the incident, THSRC stated that it has suspended subsequent work on the SMC power module replacement project until the root cause is determined. The eight components removed from the incident have been sealed by THSRC, stored in a locked cabinet, and are under video surveillance.
THSRC pointed out that an investigation team will be formed, comprising personnel from the original manufacturer, third-party entities, and THSRC, to jointly analyze and investigate. The third-party entities include the Railway Technology Research and Verification Center and the Railway Technology Center of National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology. The timeline for the investigation results will depend on the progress of the third-party investigation.
According to THSRC's report, the originally estimated passenger volume for May 25 was approximately 200,000. In response to the incident, THSRC switched to a backup schedule operating three full-reserved-seat trains per hour in each direction. The actual passenger volume still reached 184,000, over 90% of the estimated volume, demonstrating that the degraded operations mode still provided significant intercity transport functionality.
Tickets meeting the delay refund criteria for that day are eligible for a refund without a handling fee. The report shows that the originally announced schedule had 156 trains, but only 122 trains actually operated, a reduction of 34 trains for the day. A total of 113 trains arrived at their terminals with delays greater than 5 minutes, affecting 114,908 passengers.
As a result of this incident, THSRC estimates that approximately 66,161 passengers meet the criteria for delay refunds, with a total refundable amount of NT$35,259,441. All refunds for these passengers will be processed without a handling fee.
THSRC stated that current mobile tickets can be refunded via the T-Express App before the refund deadline (30 minutes before departure), with the amount returned to the original credit card. For passengers who held mobile tickets on May 25 but did not travel due to the operational changes, they can apply for an online refund through THSRC's smart customer service, with the refund returned to the original credit card. This option is available for one month.
FAQ
What is the total refund amount for the May 25 THSRC delay?
THSRC announced refunds totaling NT$35,259,441 for approximately 66,161 passengers, with no handling fees.
What caused the delay?
The cause was a signaling malfunction that occurred for the first time during a replacement of an SMC power module in the Miaoli section.
Who is involved in the investigation?
THSRC has formed an investigation team with the manufacturer, the Railway Technology Research and Verification Center, and National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology.