TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Railway Corporation said Thursday that it will increase the number of non-reserved seat trains to 17 starting Monday.

The move aims to boost capacity on the EMU3000 Tze-Chiang Limited Express and address capacity shortages during peak hours. Each train will have nine to 11 non-reserved cars, providing 210 seats.

The company reminded passengers that ticket bookings would be available seven days before. Fares will be offered at a 5% discount compared with regular Tze-Chiang Express trains, per CNA.

The decision to increase non-reserved seats was based on an analysis of average ridership rates, passenger ticketing habits, and data on unreserved seat ticket usage for each EMU3000 train, the company said. 

TRC launched the non-reserved seat option in April 2023, offering six trains per day with four to nine non-reserved cars on the EMU3000. Ticket bookings were available four days in advance.

Passengers can purchase tickets through the company’s official website or booking app. Those with three unpaid bookings within a month will face a one-month suspension from making reservations.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, TRC added eight EMU3000 trains with all-unreserved seating, operating between Qidu and Kaohsiung.