High-Speed Rail Fares: Chen Shih-kai States No Discussion Before August 2027
Taiwan's Minister of Transportation, Chen Shih-kai, announced that discussions on high-speed rail fare increases will not take place before August 2027, when new trains are introduced and ridership increases. Although the fare adjustment threshold has been met, the decision is to postpone the discussion.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 10:46
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 11:01 (15 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yu Hsiao-han, Taipei, 7th) The basic fare rate for the High-Speed Rail has reached the adjustment threshold. Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-kai stated today that discussions on fares will only take place after the new trains are online in August next year and ridership increases.
Chen Shih-kai was interviewed on a radio program to discuss issues such as the Danjiang Bridge and High-Speed Rail fare increases.
Regarding the extension of the High-Speed Rail and fare increase issues, Chen Shih-kai pointed out that transportation infrastructure will continue to extend, just as in the past there was only National Freeway 1 (Zhongshan Freeway), but now there are National Freeways 3, 5, and 6.
Chen Shih-kai stated that it took 100 years for the Taiwan Railways Administration to extend around the island, and the High-Speed Rail will also continue to extend in the future.
As the High-Speed Rail's basic fare rate once again reached the adjustment threshold this year, there is a potential increase of NT$290 for the Taipei-Kaohsiung fare, which could go up to NT$1780.
Chen Shih-kai pointed out that Taiwan High Speed Rail is a listed company, and the Ministry of Transportation cannot order a fare increase or freeze. However, after discussions with Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, the company hopes to introduce new trains in August next year, and only discuss fares after ridership increases.
The Ministry of Transportation annually announces the government-approved High-Speed Rail basic fare rate based on changes in the consumer price index. When it reaches 3%, it will be adjusted, and then Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation will review and set its own rates.
The 12 sets of new generation N700ST trains purchased by the High-Speed Rail from Japan will have their first set delivered in July and arrive in Taiwan in August. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of High-Speed Rail operations. The new trains are expected to gradually enter service from the second half of next year, with all new trains expected to be online by the end of 2028. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150507
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(Central News Agency reporter Yu Hsiao-han, Taipei, 7th) The basic fare rate for the High-Speed Rail has reached the adjustment threshold. Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-kai stated today that discussions on fares will only take place after the new trains are online in August next year and ridership increases.
Chen Shih-kai was interviewed on a radio program to discuss issues such as the Danjiang Bridge and High-Speed Rail fare increases.
Regarding the extension of the High-Speed Rail and fare increase issues, Chen Shih-kai pointed out that transportation infrastructure will continue to extend, just as in the past there was only National Freeway 1 (Zhongshan Freeway), but now there are National Freeways 3, 5, and 6.
Chen Shih-kai stated that it took 100 years for the Taiwan Railways Administration to extend around the island, and the High-Speed Rail will also continue to extend in the future.
As the High-Speed Rail's basic fare rate once again reached the adjustment threshold this year, there is a potential increase of NT$290 for the Taipei-Kaohsiung fare, which could go up to NT$1780.
Chen Shih-kai pointed out that Taiwan High Speed Rail is a listed company, and the Ministry of Transportation cannot order a fare increase or freeze. However, after discussions with Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, the company hopes to introduce new trains in August next year, and only discuss fares after ridership increases.
The Ministry of Transportation annually announces the government-approved High-Speed Rail basic fare rate based on changes in the consumer price index. When it reaches 3%, it will be adjusted, and then Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation will review and set its own rates.
The 12 sets of new generation N700ST trains purchased by the High-Speed Rail from Japan will have their first set delivered in July and arrive in Taiwan in August. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of High-Speed Rail operations. The new trains are expected to gradually enter service from the second half of next year, with all new trains expected to be online by the end of 2028. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.