Major timetable revision for TRA Taipei–Hualien services; 34 more Puyuma trains added

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Major timetable revision！Starting from September 25 (Wednesday), TRA has adjusted the schedules of a total of 296 train services. The most significant change is the substantial increase of 34 Puyuma train services between Taipei and Hualien. The fastest service can now reach its destination in under 1 hour and 59 minutes. The intervals between Taroko Express services between Taipei and Hualien have also been shortened by 8 to 9 minutes, with trains running every half hour on holidays.

▲ TRA Puyuma train. (Photo / Reporter You t
ru)

TRA stated that this major timetable revision is mainly to accommodate the addition of Puyuma trains to the North-Link Line operations. Starting September 25, the number of Puyuma train services between Taipei and Hualien will increase from 74 per week to 108. For Taroko Express services, the intervals have been slightly adjusted and shortened—on weekdays, the frequency increases from one train every 46 minutes to one every 37 minutes, and on holidays, from one every 38 minutes to one every 30 minutes, an 8-minute reduction. The new timetable will be available for free at all stations starting at 8:00 AM on the 17th.

TRA pointed out that after the timetable revision, the average transport capacity of the Eastern Line is expected to increase by about 20%, which will particularly help alleviate crowding during holiday peak periods. This year, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, tickets from Taipei to eastern Taiwan remained hard to come by. TRA stated that a fundamental improvement in this situation will have to wait until February or March next year, when Puyuma and Taroko trains fully replace the Taroko-bound Taroko Express services. By then, shorter travel times and increased services should resolve the issue of ticket unavailability.