THSR Signal Failure Causes Delays; Passengers at Miaoli Station Wait Over 40 Minutes

Central News Agency, Miaoli, May 25. Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) discovered a switch signal anomaly in the Miaoli section during pre-operational preparations early this morning, causing delays across all services. Many passengers faced disruptions to their morning schedules, with some waiting over 40 minutes at Miaoli Station, prioritizing safety despite the inconvenience. THSR stated that after discovering the signal anomaly, personnel were dispatched for repairs, and the section operated on a single-track, two-way basis. Starting at 8:00 AM, all originally scheduled trains were canceled, replaced by three all-non-reserved-seat trains per hour (excluding business class) departing from Nangang Station (southbound) and Zuoying Station (northbound) at the top of the hour, 20 minutes, and 40 minutes past. Passengers arriving at Miaoli Station found the lobby crowded, with departure boards showing delays or cancellations, leaving many stunned. Platforms were packed, and even those who successfully transferred to other trains or switched to conventional rail or buses faced delays of 40 minutes to an hour. A travel agency staff member waiting for clients said they were scheduled to meet at 7:40 AM, but by 8:30 AM, the clients were still on the train with no clear arrival time. Despite the frustration, they had no choice but to wait, noting that 'safety comes first in emergencies.' THSR apologized to affected passengers and offered refunds. According to the policy, if a train arrives at its destination 30 to 60 minutes late, 50% of the fare is refunded; for delays of 60 minutes or more, the full fare is refunded. Passengers with tickets for canceled trains can receive a full refund if unused, and those who interrupted their journey can receive a refund for the unused portion without fees. THSR added that passengers with reserved tickets who switched to non-reserved seats can apply for a fare difference refund at station ticket windows within one year from the date of travel.