(FWA 2025/11/10)Due to an increasing number of passengers boarding trains earlier than their scheduled times, resulting in an average waste of over 60,000 empty seats per month, Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is canceling its flexible measure. Starting November 10, reserved seat passengers who wish to board more than one hour in advance must exchange their ticket first.
Previously, THSR allowed reserved seat passengers to board earlier trains (using empty seats or non-reserved seating) by passing through manual gates without changing their tickets.
However, this practice has become increasingly frequent, especially during holidays and peak travel periods. This not only wastes seats on the passenger’s original train (averaging over 2,000 empty seats daily, totaling 60,000 monthly) but also severely impacts the rights of passengers needing to purchase reserved seats.
Therefore, starting November 10, THSR is adjusting its rules: Reserved seat passengers wishing to board more than one hour in advance of their ticketed departure time must exchange their ticket first.
THSR stated that during the initial implementation phase, stations will set up designated “fast exchange windows” to provide quick ticket changes and save passengers time.
Passengers using mobile tickets (T Express app) can exchange them at the window or, for greater convenience, directly process a refund and repurchase a new ticket on their phone. Furthermore, passengers with special personal circumstances (such as medical emergencies or sudden family incidents) are urged to inform station staff, who will actively assist and promptly handle their situation.
For passengers boarding within one hour of their scheduled departure, the automatic gates will still allow entry with the original reserved seat ticket.
