Train travelers, beware: Illegal programs used for bulk ticket booking may incur fines of up to NT$500,000

▲ With the completion of the electrification of the Eastern Line railways, unscrupulous ticket scalpers have also taken the opportunity to profit. (Photo / Reporter You T-Ru)

By Chen Rui-zhong / Staff Writer

Taiwan Railways Administration announced that the revised Railway Act came into effect three days after being promulgated by presidential decree on June 18 this year. Under the new law, penalties for scalping tickets will be increased, with fines of up to 10 times the ticket price per ticket. In addition, those using illegal programs to book large quantities of tickets may face a maximum fine of NT$500,000.

On July 11, the Taiwan Railways Administration and the Railway Police Bureau’s Internet Cleanup Task Force uncovered a suspect surnamed Tsai who used fake information to post a “Ticket Booking Service” Facebook fan page, luring customers with promises of guaranteed seats and charging commissions. After customers placed bids, the seller would shut down the sales page, leaving victims with no recourse.

After the Internet Cleanup Task Force cracked the case, it was transferred to the Changhua District Prosecutors Office in Taiwan on charges including defamation under the Criminal Code, forgery of documents, and violations of the Tax Collection Act. Violations of the Railway Act were handled separately by the Railway Police Bureau. The suspect surnamed Tsai could face a fine of up to NT$500,000.

TRA stated that since jointly establishing the Internet Cleanup Task Force with the Railway Police Bureau, a total of 352 cases involving 369 individuals have been uncovered and transferred. However, a small number of opportunists continue to break the rules, seriously affecting the rights of ordinary citizens to purchase train tickets.

TRA urges the public not to risk breaking the law for small gains by using others’ ID cards to book tickets or reselling them at inflated prices. If members of the public discover any unscrupulous individuals attempting to resell TRA or THSR tickets at higher prices, they can report them immediately to TRA or the Criminal Police Division of the Railway Police Bureau. The reporting email is 0501@webmail.rpb.gov.tw, and the reporting phone number is 02-26511611.