Taiwan Railway resumes sale of platform tickets across all stations

Taipei, July 5 (CNA) Taiwan Railway Corp. (TR) said on Friday that it has resumed the sale of platform tickets across all of its stations, with the price per ticket raised from the previous NT$6 (US$0.20) to NT$22.

A platform ticket is a type of rail pass that allows individuals to access a TR station's train platforms, but not to board or travel on any trains. They are useful for people who wish to pick up or drop off friends and family on the platforms.

Sales of such tickets were terminated at more than 170 stations in June 2013, except for five designated stations in Taichung and other places.

However, members of the public could still obtain a platform pass by leaving their personal identification card with a station staff member, which would be returned to them afterward.

As fewer people are willing to exchange their personal documents for access due to an increasing awareness of privacy concerns, the company said it has resumed selling platform tickets since June 23, and such tickets are now available at a station's ticket counter or automated ticket vending machines.

The NT$22 platform ticket is only good for one hour after station entry.

People who purchase a platform ticket and stay beyond one hour but less than three hours will need to pay an additional NT$139, after paying the initial NT$22 for the ticket, TR said.

If they stay for more than three hours, an additional NT$911 will be charged, it added.

According to TR statistics, platform ticket sales totaled NT$59,550 in 2023 and NT$25,362 in 2024. As of the end of June this year, cumulative platform ticket sales have already reached NT$57,474, surpassing the total for all of last year.