THSR Taipei Station's Mysterious Passage Opens, Easing 10,000 Passengers on Peak Days

(Central News Agency, Reporter Huang Chao-wen, Taipei, June 29) To alleviate passenger congestion, Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) announced on Facebook today that THSR Taipei Station has opened a mysterious passage, sealed for 20 years, which will be available from noon onwards to facilitate convenient passage for non-reserved seat passengers. It is estimated that at least 1/4 of passengers per train will use it, potentially easing up to 10,000 people on peak days.

The THSR Taiwan Facebook fan page released a video today, revealing for the first time the mysterious passage at Taipei Station, sealed for 20 years. Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-kai, THSR Chairman Shih Che, and TRA Chairman Cheng Kuang-yuan participated in the unboxing.

In the video, Chen Shih-kai asked if there was a new mysterious passage for non-reserved seat passengers exiting the station. Shih Che immediately explained that Taipei Station has two escalators that have been sealed for 20 years, and after renovation and activation, they will become the new East Exit.

THSR Taipei Station is the busiest station in Taiwan, and its crowds are often criticized by passengers. THSR pointed out that this passage was discovered by Shih Che during a station inspection after he took office; a passage had been sealed for 20 years, and opening it would help alleviate congestion.

As opening the passage involved the jurisdiction of Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), after communication and coordination between Shih Che and TRA Chairman Cheng Kuang-yuan, and with the efforts of both THSR and TRA chairmen, it has been conveniently opened from 12:00 PM today for THSR non-reserved seat passengers to pass through quickly, effectively easing the crowds of non-reserved seat passengers. THSR estimates that it can ease up to 10,000 people on peak days.

THSR stated that the aforementioned passage is located near car position 10. After non-reserved seat passengers alight, they can quickly exit the station through this passage. THSR has also opened an additional gate at the East Exit, bringing the total number of gates for passengers to exit to two at the East Exit, with the new exit having three ticket validation gates.

THSR stated that with the opening of the new passage, it is estimated that at least 1/4 of passengers on each train will be able to exit through the newly opened passage and gates, effectively saving passengers time.

Shih Che said that THSR will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary and is currently vigorously promoting the "THSR 2.0" plan, continuously optimizing all aspects from stations, trains, to services, hoping to bring passengers a refreshing experience.

THSR's annual ridership surpassed 80 million for the first time in 2025. According to the passenger transport situation published on the THSR official website, the first five months of this year saw 35,367,998 passengers, an increase of 5.95% compared to the same period last year.

In response to the continuous increase in passenger volume, the first of 12 new-generation N700ST trains procured by THSR from Japan is expected to be manufactured by the end of July and delivered to Taiwan in mid-August. Chairman Shih Che previously revealed that the first new train is expected to be in service in July next year. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1160629

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