Millions flock to Taichung’s Wuri District for Taiwan Lantern Festival as “Taiwan Lantern Festival” emergency transport plan is unveiled

▲Over 1.5 million people flocked to the Taiwan Lantern Festival area on the evening of the 7th, setting a new record in the festival’s history. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taiwan Lantern Festival saw 1.5 million visitors on the 7th, causing severe crowding at the TRA’s Xinwuri Station. On the 8th, Taichung City Transportation Bureau Director Wang Yichuan announced the latest transport plan, which includes increasing shuttle bus frequency and introducing new entry and exit routes for the TRA and THSR, aiming to ease congestion effectively.

Wang Yichuan explained that due to crowd control measures starting at 10:00 AM on weekends and 2:00 PM on weekdays at the Wuri Lantern Area,a measure of “exit-only” has been implemented at Exit 3—meaning passengers arriving by train can only enter the lantern area through Exit 3 (the junction between TRA Xinwuri Station and THSR), and must exit through Exit 4 (THSR exit) to access TRA Xinwuri Station.

Fences have now been installed at TRA Exit 3, with over 50 volunteers deployed to guide visitors. Director Wang urged the public to follow instructions from volunteers and signage, and not to attempt to go upstairs via Exit 3.

Additionally, the number of buses heading from the THSR first floor to downtown areas will increase from the usual 1,500 daily trips to 2,300. Shuttle buses to the five major parking lots will also be increased to 4,000 trips today (8th) to reduce waiting times. The Transportation Bureau has also prepared 20 tour buses on standby at the site, ready to transport passengers to Taichung Railway Station immediately upon command from the TRA supervisor.

The TRA originally planned to add 32 extra trains stopping at Xinwuri Station, but this has now been increased to 32 more relief trains, bringing the total additional services to 64. The THSR is also coordinating to add 2 additional northbound all-standing trains at 21:52 and 22:19 during post-festival crowd dispersal on weekends.