Railway collaboration takes another step forward as Taiwan High Speed Rail, Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) Tourism Bureau today (25th) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the development of the Jiufen Railway Tourism Corridor. MOTC Minister Hochen Tan pointed out that railways are shifting from general transport services to tourism development. The TRA’s Jiufen Line, with its suitable route length and peak ridership potential, is ideal for integrating new business models. In the future, in addition to TRA branch lines, the initiative may be further extended to sugar railway lines, setting a model for railway tourism.
Hochen Tan stated that planning forward-looking rail infrastructure is one of the MOTC’s key policy directions, aiming to build an energy-efficient and low-carbon transport network. By providing convenient rail public transport, the ministry seeks to promote balanced regional development and narrow the urban-rural gap. He expressed hope that high-speed rail will serve as the backbone, connecting TRA and local metro and light rail systems to form a dense transportation network, thereby enhancing tourism services. Legislative amendments will also be coordinated to adjust fares for branch lines.
The “Jiufen Railway Tourism MOU” was signed by Tourism Bureau Director-General Chou Yung-hui, TRA Director-General Lu Chieh-shen, and Taiwan High Speed Rail Chairman Chang Yaw-tsung, representing the three parties respectively. Immediately following the signing ceremony, the “Jiufen Railway Tourism Corridor Development Forum” was held, inviting representatives from industry, government, and academia to brainstorm and jointly create new opportunities for Jiufen railway tourism.
Chang Yaw-tsung noted that last April, Taiwan High Speed Rail and TRA launched the “Ride Double Rail, Explore Jiufen” high-speed rail holiday package, aiming to expand the reach of the Jiufen Branch Line to cities and counties across the western corridor via the TRA’s Changhua Station. Travelers can quickly reach Changhua by high-speed rail and have ample time for in-depth exploration.
Taiwan High Speed Rail will introduce newly designed itineraries this year, allowing passengers to enter and exit at multiple stations without restrictions, offering a chance to experience the mountain-town scenery of the Jiufen Railway and the views of Sun Moon Lake.
Taiwan High Speed Rail stated that signing the “Jiufen Railway Tourism Cooperation MOU” will pool resources from all three parties. In addition to organizing the Jiufen Railway Tourism Corridor Development Forum and the Jiufen Branch Line train painting event, strategic collaborations will be carried out for events such as the “2018 Taiwan-Japan Tourism Summit Forum” in June this year, maximizing synergies to drive the vigorous development of Jiufen’s tourism industry.
(Business News)
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