More discounts for group bookings on high-speed rail in March

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation will launch the "Weekday Designated Train Group Ticket Discount for Groups of 30 or More" from March 1 to March 29 this year (2012). Groups of 30 passengers (inclusive) or more traveling during the campaign period on "designated trains" on Mondays to Thursdays in standard class reserved seats between the same origin and destination stations can enjoy a 35% discount off the full fare for full-price tickets; senior, child, and disabled tickets can enjoy an additional 20% discount off the original 50% discounted fare. Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation stated: "The Weekday Designated Train Group Ticket Discount for Groups of 30 or More" is applicable on Mondays to Thursdays, for trains departing from Taipei or Zuoying Station between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., offering up to 22 northbound services and 24 southbound services per day, totaling 184 services per week.

Special reminder to passengers: The number of children in each group must not exceed half of the total group size. Those booking senior or disabled tickets must submit relevant supporting documents when making reservations. When traveling with senior, child, or disabled tickets, please be sure to carry the original valid identification documents for ticket inspection. Failure to present ID or mismatched identity will result in the collection of the fare difference between the full fare and the fare actually paid. Also, this promotion does not offer group discounts for the "Taipei–Banqiao" section; if passengers travel on a train other than the one designated on the ticket, the full fare must be paid.

The "2012 Weekday Designated Train Group Discount for Groups of 30 or More Reservation Form" can be downloaded from the THSR corporate website or obtained from station staff. It must be faxed to (03) 261-3315 no later than three working days before the date of travel (inclusive), between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on weekdays (Monday to Friday). THSR staff will contact you to process your reservation (holidays and consecutive holidays will be postponed accordingly).

If you need to apply for train changes or refunds, the entire group must process the itinerary change or refund simultaneously, and it must be done no later than three working days before the date of travel (inclusive), by filling out the "2012 Weekday Designated Train Group Discount for Groups of 30 or More Change Form" and faxing it to the reservation hotline. The acceptance period is from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays (Monday to Friday) (not accepted on holidays or national holidays). For any subsequent changes, you must cancel the tickets and rebook. A service fee of NT$20 per ticket will be charged for ticket cancellations.

For detailed event information, please refer to the Taiwan High Speed Rail corporate website: www.thsrc.com.tw/event/2012/1203_thirty/index.html