Taipei, Aug. 20 (CNA) Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. (THSRC) will increase train service amid an easing of local COVID-19 restrictions one week ahead of the previously announced schedule, the company said Friday.
In a statement, THSRC said the decision to move up the schedule was made to accommodate the anticipated increase in ridership as people return home or head back to school before the summer vacation ends on Aug. 31.
The high-speed rail line said earlier this week it would add 180 more trips -- 90 northbound and 90 southbound -- to bring the total number to 809 per week beginning on Sept. 1, but will now start the expanded schedule on Aug. 25, the company said.
Passengers can begin to book tickets for these trains starting at midnight on Aug. 23 through THSRC's T-Express mobile ticketing system, online ticket booking system, voice-processing booking system, contracted convenience stores, or THSRC ticket counters, it said.
Because of Central Epidemic Command Center guidelines, however, THSRC will still not be able to sell non-reserved tickets, which allow travelers to stand if there are no seats available or to sit in unoccupied seats in non-reserved carriages.
According to THSRC, eating and drinking on trains will also remain prohibited.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel