TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The first N700ST high-speed train arrived in Kaohsiung on Saturday, on a ship from Japan.
Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation ordered 12 sets of the train from Japan’s Hitachi Toshiba Supreme Consortium. The first train is expected to start service on July 1, 2027, with delivery of all trains scheduled for completion by the end of September 2028.
The departure of the first train from Japan had been scheduled for Aug. 6, but Typhoon Dolphin and Typhoon Chan-hom caused a delay until Tuesday, per Liberty Times. The disembarkation of the train set from the ship will take two days, to be followed by three nights of road transportation to the depot in the Kaohsiung district of Yanchao.
A wide range of safety tests will prepare the train for its inauguration next year. The first phase of tests inside the depot will take until November, the report said. The second phase will cover 69 items, including traction, braking, and general service, with completion expected in April 2027.
At the arrival ceremony in Kaohsiung Saturday, THSRC Chair Shih Che (史哲) said that following the launch of the first new train next year, the first fare increase in 20 years would come up for discussion.
Enhanced safety and comfort were preconditions for a change in fares, he said. Even if the company decided to hike fares, the increase would only take effect after all N700ST had started service in September 2028, Liberty Times reported.
