It takes just 2 hours from Taipei to Hualien — “Puyuma” trains now run every 30 minutes

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Puyuma is a hit!*The Puyuma line “Shulin–Hualien”After adding 74 weekly services on the “Shulin–Hualien” Puyuma line starting July 19, Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) announced that the number will further increase to 108 trips after September. On holidays, a train will depart roughly every 30 minutes, with services available every day of the week. There will also be four direct Taipei–Hualien trains daily, reducing travel time to within 2 hours.

▲ The “Puyuma” train, capable of speeds up to 150 km/h. (Photo / Reporter You   Ru)

In the past, TRA services between Taipei and Hualien were in high demand, often sold out during holidays and special occasions. Since the Puyuma entered service this Spring Festival, 28 weekly services between Shulin and Hualien have been operated, with an occupancy rate of nearly 90%. Starting September 25, TRA will further increase the number of services to 108, 34 more than the current schedule.

▲ Tickets for trains between Taipei and Hualien are always in high demand, with the public holding signs saying “I want a ticket.” (Photo / Eastern TV News, file photo)

TRA’s Integrated Dispatching Office stated that after increasing Puyuma services in September, 12 to 14 trains will run on weekdays, and about 18 to 20 on holidays. Four direct trains will be operated daily, departing from Taipei and making only one stop at Songshan before heading directly to Hualien, with the entire journey taking 1 hour and 59 minutes. Semi-direct trains that make additional stops at Yilan and Luodong will take approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes.

The additional Puyuma services will focus on peak periods. The dispatching office noted that on holidays, extra Taipei–Hualien services will be added from Friday evening through Saturday morning, as well as from 2 pm to 8 pm on Saturdays, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sundays for Hualien–Taipei services.

To accommodate the addition of Puyuma trains, the frequency of TRA’s regular express trains between Taipei and Hualien has also been slightly adjusted. On weekdays, the interval has been reduced from 46 minutes to 37 minutes, and on holidays from 38 minutes to 30 minutes.

For more details, please visit the TRA official website