By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department compiled report
After much anticipation, the "New Taroko Hello Kitty Painted Train," a collaboration among Taiwan Railways Administration, EVA Air, and Sanrio Taiwan, was officially launched on March 21 of the 105th year (2016), operating trains between Taipei and Taitung.
Taiwan Railways has launched the Hello Kitty Taroko Train, which made its official debut on March 21. The photo shows the Hello Kitty painted train of the Wakayama line in Japan. (Image source / wakayama)
The "New Taroko Hello Kitty Painted Train" made its debut on March 21, running between Taipei and Taitung. From March 12 to March 14, customers who made a single purchase of NT$1,290 or more on railway merchandise (excluding bento boxes) at the Taipei Flagship Store or Songshan Store of Taiwan Railways Dream Works could receive one lottery ticket. On March 15 at 10:00 AM, 100 lucky winners were to be publicly drawn by impartial personnel at the Taipei Station West Gate No. 3 Taiwan Railways Dream Works Flagship Store. Winners would receive a pair of round-trip same-day tickets for the Hello Kitty inaugural train (valued at NT$3,248).
The Taroko Train will don Hello Kitty paint for round trips between Hualien/Taitung and Taipei. (Image source / Railway Culture Lecture Hall)
In addition, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Hualien-Taitung railway, Taiwan Railways Administration has also planned that on March 25, the original Train No. 426 and Train No. 441 between Shulin and Taitung will be operated using the "New Taroko Hello Kitty Painted Train." Furthermore, on March 27, extra services — Train Nos. 5236 and 5239 between Shulin and Yuli — of the "New Taroko Hello Kitty Painted Train" will be operated. Reservations for Train Nos. 5236 and 5239 on March 27 opened online at midnight on March 16.
Timetable for the New Taroko Hello Kitty Painted Train. (Image source / Taiwan Railways Administration)
The Taiwan Railways Hello Kitty Taroko Train is planned to be similarly adorned with cute Kitty paint on the exterior, just like the Wakayama train. (Image source / JR West Japan)
The train’s body will also incorporate famous Taiwanese tourist attractions into its design. (Image source / JR West Japan)
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