Typhoon Bavi disrupts rail services across Taiwan

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Train and MRT services across Taiwan were disrupted Saturday by Typhoon Bavi, with Taiwan Railway Corp. suspending most intercity trains, the high-speed rail line limiting service, and Taipei's MRT halting operations on above-ground sections due to strong winds.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Bavi's storm circle had enveloped Taiwan and warned that the typhoon would come closest to the island Saturday afternoon and evening, when its impact is expected to be the strongest.

All reserved-seat trains on Taiwan Railway's western and eastern trunk lines will remain suspended until 6 p.m. Saturday, the operator said.

For local train services, trains between Keelung and Houli on the western trunk line and between Shulin and Hualien on the eastern trunk line were also suspended.

Local and fast local trains between Changhua and Chaozhou in the west and Hualien and Taitung in the east, as well as all services on the South Link Line, will continue operating.

Most branch lines, however, have been suspended except for the Shalun Line, while tourist trains have also been canceled.

Service arrangements after 6 p.m. will be announced by 2 p.m. Saturday, depending on the typhoon's latest track, according to Taiwan Railway.

Passengers holding tickets for trains scheduled during the period covered by the sea warning may apply for refunds within one year of their scheduled travel date without paying a handling fee.

For Taiwan's north-south high-speed rail line, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. (THSRC) said it has replaced regular services with three trains per hour in each direction departing from Nangang and Zuoying stations, and all seats will be non-reserved.

THSRC will also add five all-non-reserved-seat trains departing Taichung in the morning to accommodate passenger demand.

The last southbound and northbound trains from Nangang and Zuoying are scheduled to depart at 9:40 p.m., followed by final services to Taichung at 10:40 p.m.

Meanwhile, Metro Taipei suspended services on the network's above-ground sections, including the entire Wenhu Line, the Tamsui-Xinyi Line between Yuanshan and Tamsui stations, the Xinbeitou Branch Line and the Xiaobitan Branch Line, after wind speeds exceeded operational safety limits.

Under Taipei Rapid Transit Corp.'s (TRTC) operating procedures, train services on elevated and surface sections are suspended when instantaneous wind speeds exceed Beaufort force 10 (89-102 kilometers per hour) or when the 10-minute average reaches force 7 (50-61 kph).

Underground sections of the Tamsui-Xinyi and Songshan-Xindian lines, as well as the Zhonghe-Xinlu and Bannan lines, continued to operate at roughly 12-minute intervals, with service being adjusted according to passenger demand.