New Year’s Eve Madness: Extra TRA & THSR Trains with Discounts — Ticket Rush Starts Dec 4

▲ To meet the demand for New Year’s celebrations, travel, and returning home, both TRA and THSR will increase their train services. (Photo / From Wikimedia Commons)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

As New Year’s Eve approaches, TRA and THSR will add more trains to accommodate the surge in travelers heading home, celebrating, or touring. THSR will run 10 extra services, while TRA will add 60 trains around New Year’s Day. THSR will maintain its free-seating and early-bird discount policies, with ticket booking starting at midnight on Dec 4. Additionally, TRA is launching a special cruise-style train service called “Sunrise Cruise” to greet the first light of the new year, with ticket sales beginning on Dec 17.

From Dec 31 to Jan 2, 2014, THSR will operate 10 extra train services, but will suspend five commuter services during peak hours. All additional trains are eligible for both free-seating and early-bird discounts. The early-bird discount allows passengers to purchase tickets between 8 and 28 days before departure, with potential savings of 35%, 20%, or 10% off the regular fare. Free-seating tickets can only be bought on the day of travel, have no assigned seats, and allow passengers to choose any available spot in cars 10 to 12. Travelers using the free-seating option from Taipei to Zuoying could save up to NT$50.


▲ TRA is promoting the “Sunrise Cruise” train event, inviting the public to watch the sunrise together at Sanxiantai in Taitung. (Photo / FromSanxiantai Starry Sky HomestayFacebook Fan Page)

From Dec 31 to Jan 1, 2014, TRA will add 60 train services: 19 on the eastern line, 39 on the western line, and 2 on the South Link Line. On the eastern main line, 12 services will be Taroko Express trains, 2 Puyuma Express trains, and 5 local and commuter trains, totaling 19 services. On the western main line, there will be 6 Taroko Express, 4 Puyuma Express, and 29 local trains, making 39 services. The South Link Line will see 2 additional Puyuma Express trains.

TRA is also launching a special cruise-style train activity titled “2013 Sunset in the Harbor City, 2014 Sunrise at Sanxiantai,” with ticket sales starting at 9 a.m. on Dec 17 and ending on Dec 28. The cruise-style train will depart from Douliu Station in Yunlin, pass through Kaohsiung, and arrive at Sanxiantai in Taitung, giving passengers the chance to bid farewell to the last sunset of 2013 and welcome the first sunrise of 2014 within a 24-hour journey.