Taiwan High-Speed Rail to Revise Early Boarding Policy, Requiring Ticket Exchanges

Passengers Seeking Earlier Departures Must Now Officially Change Their Tickets

Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) is set to discontinue its flexible early boarding policy starting November 10. Under the revised regulations, passengers holding reserved seat tickets who wish to board a train departing earlier than their scheduled service will be required to exchange their tickets beforehand.

This policy adjustment comes as the practice of boarding earlier trains without formal ticket changes has become widespread. Originally implemented to offer flexibility for travelers facing unexpected schedule adjustments, the increasing frequency of this practice has led to issues such as unoccupied seats on originally booked trains and overcrowding in non-reserved sections.

To ensure a better travel experience and uphold the rights of all passengers, THSR announced in August that station personnel will no longer facilitate manual boarding for reserved-seat passengers on earlier trains. The railway strongly advises passengers to adhere to the train details indicated on their tickets.

For those intending to travel on an earlier train, the necessary step will be to visit a ticket counter to exchange their existing ticket for one that reflects the desired departure time. This measure aims to streamline operations and maintain the quality of service for all THSR patrons.

According to THSR regulations, reserved seat tickets are exclusively valid for the specific date, train number, and route segment printed on the ticket. Similarly, unreserved seat tickets are valid only for the designated date, operating hours, and route segment. Expired tickets are neither exchangeable nor refundable.