A Historic Moment in Taitung: The Bunun People Cheer the Arrival of the Puyuma Train

▲The Puyuma train's electrification trial run on the Eastern Line arrived at Taitung Station at noon on April 18. (Photo /Chen BingyuanProvided)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taiwan Railways Puyuma train, named after the Bunun people of Taitung, finally made its first trial run and arrived in Taitung at noon on the 18th. To express the local community's eager anticipation, Bunun elders dressed in traditional attire, along with fellow Taitung residents, had been waiting on the platform to welcome the arrival of the train. The elders also placed a floral wreath on the driver, saying, "Thank you for bringing the Puyuma train back."

As the Puyuma train slowly entered Taitung Railway Station, including Taitung County Magistrate Huang Jian-ting, Legislative Yuan member Liu ..., and others, they also boarded the train with excitement. Huang ... warmly embraced the train driver. The local residents who had waited a long time cheered loudly and took photos with the train driver. Some women even emotionally kissed the train, a moving sight.

▲The Puyuma train arrives at Taitung Station, with dressed-up Bunun elders happily trying out the seats inside the carriages. (Photo /Chen BingyuanProvided)

Chen Bingyuan, a veteran local journalist in Taitung who now works as a tour guide, meticulously documented this historic moment. He stated that the completion of the electrification of the Eastern Line will greatly help alleviate transportation issues in eastern Taiwan.

▲The Puyuma train arrives in Taitung, with elaborately dressed Bunun people on the platform not only cheering joyfully and taking commemorative photos with the train driver, but also women expressing gratitude by kissing the train—an emotional sight. (Photo /Chen BingyuanProvided)

Taiwan Railways' Hualien Operations Section stated that the ticket prices for Puyuma trains from Taipei to Taitung and from Hualien to Taitung are the same as the current Taroko Express fares. Taiwan Railways also said that currently, there are seven daily round-trip Taroko Express services between Taipei and Taitung. After the end of June, the number of weekday Taroko Express services will increase to 10, and there will be 14 services on holidays (Saturdays and Sundays), doubling the current frequency. Among them, five of the new Taroko Express services will be Puyuma train services.

▲The Puyuma train's electrification trial run on the Eastern Line arrived at Taitung Station at noon on April 18. Taitung County Magistrate Huang Jian-ting (1st from left) and Bunun elder Lin Ching-mei, along with community members, welcome on the platform. (Photo /Chen BingyuanProvided)

After the electrified operation of the Eastern and Taitung railways begins, each Puyuma train service will be equipped with eight carriages, providing 376 comfortable seats for passengers. However, for safety reasons, the Puyuma train services will not offer standing tickets.