Update Aug. 19, 2 p.m.

Minister of Transportation and Communications Li Meng-Yen (李孟諺) denied media reports that Taiwan Railway plans to raise local train fares by 40%. However, he noted fares have not increased in two decades, and admitted Taiwan Railway has been asked to submit a plan for fare increases to his ministry for final review before the end of September.  

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Railway's streak of not increasing local train fares for 29 years may soon end as a board meeting in mid-September will take up a new fare proposal that could lead to a 40% fare increase on local trains.

Taiwan Railway is expected to increase its basic passenger fare rate per kilometer from NT$1.406 (US$0.40) to NT$2.05. This would lead the fare from Keelung to Taipei to increase from NT$41 to NT$58, and travel from Taoyuan to Taipei would also rise from NT$42 to NT$61, per UDN.

It said the fare formula for other trains, such as the Tze-Chiang Class express trains and other long-distance trains, will also be revised, but the rate of increase is not expected to be as high, with future fares closely resembling current fares.

The company added that a planned fare hike is still in the trial calculation phase, with no definite plan currently being put forward. The railway also said higher fares will not affect monthly commuter plans such as TPASS.

Taiwan Railway also announced a new promotion program will begin on Tuesday (Aug. 20) for frequent travelers, along with 30-day and 60-day passes that offer discounts of up to 44% off. Implementation of this new program, however, will mean the 10% discount for EasyCard, iPass, and electronic tickets will end.

It said 450,000 people a day use either electronic tickets or value-stored cards for travel. The railway estimated the current 10% discount for electronic tickets and value-stored cards amounts to NT$300 million annually, with the new discount scheme trimming this sum to NT$190 million.