TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan High Speed Rail will cancel its early reservation system in November after record passenger numbers prompted a reassessment of services, Chair Shi Zhe (史哲) said Wednesday, per UDN.
Shi noted ridership is on track to hit a new high this year, but the company also expects a budget shortfall next year and needs to streamline operations.
The early reservation system allowed passengers with reserved tickets to board earlier trains and sit in non-reserved cars. Shi said while the policy was meant to provide flexibility, it led to wasted reserved seats and overcrowding.
Starting Nov. 10, passengers holding reserved tickets who wish to take an earlier train must exchange them in advance. In addition, some peak-hour services next year will not offer reserved seating.
Shi, who took over as chair in June, said THSR carried a record 78.25 million passengers in 2024, averaging 214,000 daily. That was up from 73.09 million passengers the previous year.