Most passengers now support 'quiet train' policy, Taiwan HSR says

Taipei, Feb. 1 (CNA) After a rocky start, Taiwan High Speed Rail's (THSR) "quiet train" policy is now supported by the vast majority of passengers, the company said on Sunday.

According to the results of two surveys conducted through its TGo program, which allows members to accumulate points to exchange for discounted tickets, 95 percent of respondents said they support the policy, THSR said in a news release.

The two surveys, conducted on over 1,600 TGo members in November and December of last year, also found that over 90 percent of people were satisfied with how the policy was being enforced, the company said.

Taiwan HSR introduced its "quiet train" policy on Sept. 22, 2025, which required passengers using mobile devices -- including cellphones, laptops, or tablets -- to wear earphones when watching videos or listening to music.

The rule, based on a similar one on Japan's Shinkansen, also asked passengers to go to the gangway area to make phone calls, and keep their voices down to avoid disturbing others.

The policy began drawing criticism shortly after its launch, after a social media post claimed a mother traveling with two children had been shown a sign by staff asking her to lower the children's voices.

Following the criticism, THSR said it had stopped asking staff to hold signs asking passengers to be quiet, and would review how the policy was implemented.

In its statement Sunday, THSR said that only two passengers to date had been refused service on its trains under the policy, one for excessive alcohol consumption and the other because of an emotional outburst.

Staff members have also begun distributing stickers to make children feel welcome on THSR trains, including one which reminds them that "It's OK to cry," the company said.