Text / Compiled and reported by the MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department

As part of the introduction of four newly purchased Taroko and Puyuma express trains, Taiwan Railways announced the launch of new services starting April 21. In addition to increasing service in the high-demand eastern region, Taiwan Railways will also add one daily direct Puyuma train from Taipei to Kaohsiung and Pingtung in the west, with travel times of 3 hours 40 minutes and 4 hours respectively.

Taiwan Railways announced that it will increase the number of express train services between Taipei and Taitung from 106 to 118 per week. Among them, trains No. 431 and No. 422 will operate from Monday to Thursday, while trains No. 445 and No. 436 will run from Friday to Sunday. Additionally, two semi-direct express train services will be added between Changhua and Hualien, with trains No. 291 and No. 292 operating on Saturdays.The most noteworthy addition is the two daily round-trip Puyuma express trains between Taipei and Pingtung’s Chaozhou. The Taipei to Pingtung journey takes 4 hours, with a full fare of NT$891, and the Taipei to Kaohsiung trip takes 3 hours 40 minutes, with a full fare of NT$843. The services operate as trains No. 111 and No. 136, running daily.

It is understood that Taiwan High-Speed Rail added three new stations in December 2015, potentially diverting passengers from Taiwan Railways. In response, Taiwan Railways introduced direct Puyuma round-trips between Taipei and Kaohsiung. Although the travel time of over two hours longer than the 1 hour 36 minutes of the high-speed rail, the Puyuma fare is just NT$843 one way, compared to NT$1,490 for the high-speed rail. A round trip on the Puyuma can save you NT$1,294 — almost the cost of a high-speed rail ticket — making it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers.

【Info】

Two additional Puyuma express trains have been added between Taipei and Pingtung’s Chaozhou (daily services: No. 111 and No. 136), with Taipei–Kaohsiung (3 hours 40 minutes, full fare NT$843) and Taipei–Pingtung (4 hours, full fare NT$891).

◎ Stops for Train No. 111

Songshan (07:48) – Taipei (08:00) – Banqiao (08:08) – Taichung (09:38) – Chiayi (10:33) – Tainan (11:08) – Kaohsiung (11:40) – Pingtung (11:57) – Chaozhou (12:08).

◎ Stops for Train No. 136

Chaozhou (14:58) – Pingtung (15:10) – Kaohsiung (15:30) – Tainan (15:58) – Chiayi (16:33) – Taichung (17:30) – Banqiao (18:58) – Taipei (19:10) – Songshan (19:17).

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