By MOOK Travel Editorial Team / MOOK Scenic Spots Life Network

The nine-day Spring Festival holiday in 2016 is approaching. To accommodate the massive transportation demand, Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) and Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) have extended their transport period to 12 days. From February 4 to February 15, THSR will add 545 additional train services (262 southbound and 283 northbound), offering a total of 2,065 train trips, while maintaining the “Early Bird Discount” and “University Student Discount.” TRA will also add a total of 529 extra train services across all service levels and 1,075 extra carriages.

● High-Speed Rail

During the transport period, 3 to 5 non-reserved cars will be arranged on each service based on passenger demand.Round-trip tickets for the Spring Festival transport period can now be purchased in one go.

With large crowds expected during the holiday, passengers are advised to use the diversion strategy for a more comfortable and smooth trip.

Diversion options include:

1. Passengers traveling short to medium distances within the “Taipei–Taichung” section can use trains numbered 1500 to 1579 that operate between Taipei and Taichung.

2. Passengers traveling medium to long distances between the Greater Taipei area and areas south of Taichung can use trains numbered 300 to 379 and 1300 to 1379, which stop at “Taipei–Banqiao–Taichung–Changhua–Yunlin–Chiayi–Tainan–Zuoying.”

3. Passengers traveling to/from stations other than Miaoli, Changhua, and Yunlin can use trains numbered 600 to 799 and 1600 to 1799, which run along the “Taipei–Banqiao–Taoyuan–Hsinchu–Taichung–Chiayi–Tainan–Zuoying” route.

THSR has planned 924 train services during the Spring Festival transport period eligible for the “Early Bird Discount.” Passengers can enjoy discounts of 65%, 80%, or 90% if they book 5 to 28 days before their travel date. Additionally, 410 train services during this period are eligible for the “University Student Discount.”

● Taiwan Railways Administration

To meet the Spring Festival travel demand, TRA has added a total of 529 extra train services across all service levels and 1,075 extra carriages.From January 19, booking opens for eastern line trains (including Yilan Line, South-Link Line, and connecting services), and from January 20, booking opens for western line reserved-seat trains via online platforms, telephone reservation, and convenience stores.

During the Spring Festival transport period, the eastern line (including the South-Link Line) will add 229 Tzu-Chiang Limited Express services, 82 Chu-Kuang Express services, and 77 Fu-Hsing Semi-Express and local train services, totaling 388 train services. The western line will add 88 Tzu-Chiang Limited Express services and 53 Chu-Kuang Express services, totaling 141 train services. To divert passengers during peak times, TRA will offer 70% off “Red Eye Trains” during off-peak hours on February 5, 13, and 14.

Additionally, from February 6 to 14, three round-trips (totaling 54 services) of reserved-seat local express trains between Shulin and Luodong will be added daily, with discounted fares of NT$100. On February 5, 6, 13, and 14, 11 services of the new east-line Tzu-Chiang Limited Express with non-reserved seating (cars 7 and 8) will be operated for public use.

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