Taiwan’s high-speed rail system has reached a new single-day passenger record, with holiday travel pushing Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) close to its operating capacity and prompting the government to consider measures to reduce overcrowding.
THSR carried 347,970 passengers on Sept. 24, setting a new daily record, according to Taiwan News, citing CNA. Just four days later, on Sept. 28, the final day of the four-day Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers’ Day holiday, passenger numbers reached 347,963 — only seven fewer than the record.
The extraordinary demand also exposed capacity problems during the holiday rush.
Passengers reported severe crowding in non-reserved cars, with some travelers holding reserved tickets reportedly unable to board because of the number of people on trains.
Transport Minister Calls for Capacity Review
Taiwan Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai apologized for the inconvenience during a transportation review meeting on Wednesday.
Chen said THSR had reached the upper limit of its capacity and argued that passenger comfort should be considered alongside the goal of carrying as many travelers as possible.
He instructed THSR to review the number of passengers allowed in non-reserved cars during peak periods, particularly during major holidays.
Under the proposal, passenger numbers could potentially be controlled when trains become too crowded, with some travelers redirected to other transportation options, including Taiwan Railways.
However, no final capacity limits or implementation date have been announced.
THSR still needs to calculate appropriate passenger thresholds, while the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will discuss how any new measures should be implemented.
Holiday Demand Shows Shift in Travel Habits
The record also highlights how strongly travelers are relying on Taiwan’s high-speed rail network during major holidays.
Chen said recent holiday periods showed that more people are choosing high-speed rail and may be increasingly willing to use it instead of other forms of transportation.
As one possible alternative, he pointed to Taiwan Railways’ EMU3000 Tze-Chiang Limited Express trains, which provide more seating and spacious passenger areas that could help absorb demand during peak periods.
The challenge now is balancing the popularity of high-speed rail with passenger comfort and operational capacity.
A record approaching 348,000 passengers in a single day demonstrates the scale of demand — but the holiday overcrowding also shows that simply adding more passengers to existing services may not be enough.
As Taiwan prepares for future holiday travel surges, the government faces a growing question: how can the country’s high-speed rail system keep breaking passenger records without allowing the travel experience to become overwhelmed by its own success?
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
