Taipei: Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. (THSRC) announced that starting Monday, passengers boarding earlier trains than their booked schedule will need to change their tickets. The new rule is applicable to all travelers with reserved seats who plan to depart more than an hour before their scheduled train.
According to Focus Taiwan, THSRC will initially provide designated service windows for passengers who need to change their tickets to earlier trains. For those using digital tickets, the option to cancel and repurchase an earlier itinerary will be available on mobile devices. In cases of emergency, passengers are advised to notify station staff for assistance.
The primary aim of this policy is to address the issue of wasted reserved seats, which occurs when passengers board earlier trains without updating their tickets. These seats remain recorded as occupied in the system, preventing their sale to other travelers. THSRC reports that around 2,000 seats go unused daily, accumulating to more than 60,000 each month.
Previously, passengers with reserved seats were permitted to board earlier trains by entering through manned gates, occupying empty seats or non-reserved cars without formally changing tickets. Now, passengers can access platforms up to an hour before departure, allowing sufficient time to change tickets before boarding.
