Attention High-Speed Rail Passengers! Official Rule: Violators Forcibly Removed from Business Class, May Face 50% Surcharge

During the Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers' Day holiday period, Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) recorded a single-day ridership of 348,000 on September 24, setting a new historical high, with a cumulative 663,000 passengers over two days. However, the influx of passengers caused non-reserved seat passengers to spill over into business class cars, sparking complaints from business class passengers who demanded fare differentials be paid. THSR has clearly stipulated that standing is strictly prohibited in business class cars; train staff will advise violators to leave and recommend passengers use off-peak hours indicated by green signal lights.

Non-reserved seat passengers cannot crowd into business class! THSR: Standing in business class prohibited, violators must pay fare difference plus 50% surcharge Online reports emerged of passengers unable to board and non-reserved seat passengers overflowing into reserved seat cars. A recent post on Threads by a business class passenger stated that purchasing a business class ticket means not wanting to be disturbed, and argued that if non-reserved seat passengers stand in business class cars, they should pay the fare difference between non-reserved and business class tickets.

In response to the controversy over non-reserved seat passengers standing in business class cars, THSR's official website explicitly states that standing is not allowed in business class cars. Continuous onboard announcements are made, and if train staff find non-reserved seat passengers standing in business class cars, they will advise them to leave.

THSR regulations revealed! Those who do not board the designated train or switch to a higher-priced car type will be charged the fare difference plus a 50% surcharge Additionally, THSR regulations state that reserved seat tickets are valid only for the designated train on the designated day, while non-reserved seat tickets are valid only on the day of issue. Passengers are advised to arrive at the station early and board according to the train number, car, and seat indicated on the ticket. Those who do not board the designated train or switch to a higher-priced car type will be charged the fare difference and may incur an additional 50% surcharge on the difference.

What is the fare difference between business class and non-reserved seats from Nangang to Zuoying? Taking Nangang to Zuoying as an example, the business class fare is NT$2,500, while the non-reserved seat fare is NT$1,480, a difference of approximately NT$1,020.

THSR holiday ridership statistics! Three ways to check signal lights to avoid peak crowds for non-reserved seat passengers During the Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers' Day holiday period, THSR provided real-time crowd information channels to disperse peak passengers. Ridership data for the first two days of the period: from September 24 to 29, a six-day period, September 24 saw a record 348,000 passengers, September 25 saw 315,000 passengers, totaling 663,000 passengers over two days.

Channels to check non-reserved seat waiting time signal lights: 1. THSR corporate website: Provides real-time estimated waiting time signal lights for non-reserved seats at each station. 2. T-EX mobile ticketing app: Allows direct inquiry of the day's "non-reserved seat waiting time" status at each station. 3. LINE TODAY "Life Channel": Provides real-time signal lights. THSR urges passengers to prioritize off-peak hours indicated by green signal lights.

Q1: Can non-reserved seat passengers stand in business class cars? No. According to THSR's official website, standing is not allowed in business class cars. If train staff find non-reserved seat passengers standing in business class cars, they will proactively advise them to leave.

Q2: How can non-reserved seat passengers avoid peak queues at THSR stations? THSR recommends that non-reserved seat passengers return north early and, before boarding, check the estimated "non-reserved seat waiting time" signal lights for each station via the THSR corporate website, T-EX mobile ticketing app, or LINE TODAY "Life Channel," choosing off-peak hours indicated by green signal lights.