Text / Edited and reported by MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team

Taiwan High Speed Rail launched three new stations in December, which may divert passengers from Taiwan Railways. In response, Taiwan Railways plans to introduce Puyuma train services between Taipei and Kaohsiung starting February, with a travel time of 3 hours and 50 minutes. Although it is still more than two hours slower than the THSR’s direct Taipei-Kaohsiung service, which takes just 1 hour and 36 minutes, the Puyuma tickets between Taipei and Kaohsiung cost only NT$843 — nearly half the price of THSR — making it a fairly attractive option for budget-conscious travelers.

The three new THSR stations — Miaoli, Changhua, and Yunlin — begin operations, offering a buy-one-get-one-free promotion that has significantly boosted ridership. To compete with THSR, Taiwan Railways plans to deploy newly purchased Puyuma trains on the Taipei-Kaohsiung route starting February 4, running one trip per day with only 3 to 4 stops along the way. The full journey takes 3 hours and 50 minutes at a fare of NT$843, which is NT$647 cheaper than the THSR’s Taipei-Kaohsiung fare of NT$1,490 — a great choice for some passengers.

Take a Full Tour of the High Heel Chapel at the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum — No Car Needed for an Easy Trip