TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan High-Speed Rail will end its flexible early boarding policy on Nov. 10, requiring passengers with reserved seat tickets to exchange them if they wish to take an earlier train.

The railway said the policy was originally introduced to accommodate travelers needing last-minute schedule changes, per CNA. However, the practice has become increasingly common, with hundreds of passengers doing so each day.

This has led to wasted seats on the originally booked trains and overcrowding in unreserved sections. To maintain ride quality and protect passenger rights, THSR said in August that station staff will no longer manually assist reserved-seat passengers wishing to board earlier trains.

The railway asked passengers to take the train listed on their ticket. Those wanting to board an earlier train must first exchange their tickets.

Under Taiwan High-Speed Rail regulations, reserved seat tickets are valid only for the specified date, train number, and route section printed on them. Unreserved seat tickets are valid only for the specified date, business hours, and route section, and expired tickets cannot be changed or refunded.