'Taiwan Pass' prices to soar on train fare hikes

Taipei, June 13 (CNA) Prices of three types of the Taiwan Pass, which covers rides on trains, regional public transportation, and attractions, will go up on June 23 when the first Taiwan Railway fare hikes since 1995 take effect, the Tourism Administration said Friday.

The three Taiwan Pass plans that include rides on trains run by Taiwan Railway Corp. will see their prices rise by 18.5-31.5 percent, the tourism agency said in a statement.

Taiwan Railway fares will see a 26.8 percent increase on average, while the state-owned company's own three- and five-day TR-Pass will cost 28-33 percent more, according to the tourism agency.

Among the Taiwan Pass plans, the "Taiwan Railway EasyGo" option, which comes with a three-day TR-Pass, will cost NT$2,500 (US$84.41), which is NT$600 or 31.5 percent higher than the current price, the statement said.

It will also be available for NT$1,500 for children under 12.

In addition to the TR-Pass, this option gives users a choice of one of the following: a voucher for a car rental or Uber; an Airport MRT round-trip ticket; a 48-hour pass for public transportation in Greater Taipei and Keelung or in Kaohsiung, or for rides on the Taichung Metro.

They can also choose a bus round-trip to a popular destination, such as Sun Moon Lake; or Alishan Forest Railway train rides.

Meanwhile, the "Taiwan Railway Attractions" version will be sold at NT$3,000 -- NT$600 or 25 percent higher than the current price -- and will continue to offer a flat rate for all ages, the agency said.

It comes with a three-day TR-Pass; the choice of a 48-hour metro pass or Airport MRT round-trip ticket; a tourist bus round-trip to a popular destination, such as southern Taiwan's Kenting; and a ticket to attractions like the National Palace Museum or Taipei Zoo.

New prices for the "Taiwan Railway Classic" version are set at NT$3,200 for adults -- NT$500 or 18.5 percent more than the current price -- and NT$1,900 for children under 12, up 5.6 percent, the agency said.

The "Taiwan Railway Classic" plan includes a five-day TR-Pass, a choice of a 48-hour pass or an Airport MRT round-trip ticket, and a tourist bus round-trip to a popular destination or a train ride to Alishan.

Any Taiwan Pass sold before June 23 is valid for one year from the date of purchase, and they all allow flexible travel within a seven-day period.

There are two other types of Taiwan Pass plans -- "High-Speed Rail Attractions" and "High-Speed Rail Classic" -- that will not see price increases.

They both come with a three-day pass for services operated by Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. and can only be used by holders of foreign passports.

The Taiwan Pass was launched on Jan. 1, 2024 as a travel package sold through contracted travel sites, such as Klook and Lion Travel.

More information is available at https://twpass.tw/.