Taiwaned
Jan 14, 07, 8:11 am
Has anyone tried it? Being asking locals and many have mentioned they are going to wait a few months until it has been proven that it is safe.
What was it like?
What was it like?
Asia - Taiwan's new high speed train
View Full Version : Taiwan's new high speed train
taipeipeter
Jan 15, 07, 6:40 am
I heard it's fast :p
but I'm definitely not jumping aboard yet
but I'm definitely not jumping aboard yet
jimbo99
Jan 15, 07, 8:31 am
Well my friend has used it. One reason why she has not used it more is because its been rather full and there is a "fear" of turning up and then not being able to get on a train. I was going to use it this past weekend, but services were pretty full already. (The last weekend on the half-price deal.) There is no internet booking as yet.
Some seem to fear its "not safe" but more seem to take the view that now is the safest time to use it - before staff become lazy and people stop caring....
Leg room is not great in economy... And when my friend last boarded at Hsinchu for the 24 min run to Banciao she had to contend with the left over meal that the previous occupants had left on her table. The service arrived 20 minutes late. Early days, but that is hardly the japanese-style service that is part of the hype...
Some seem to fear its "not safe" but more seem to take the view that now is the safest time to use it - before staff become lazy and people stop caring....
Leg room is not great in economy... And when my friend last boarded at Hsinchu for the 24 min run to Banciao she had to contend with the left over meal that the previous occupants had left on her table. The service arrived 20 minutes late. Early days, but that is hardly the japanese-style service that is part of the hype...
sepdfw
Jan 15, 07, 2:17 pm
What are the different classes and typical costs?
Taiwaned
Jan 16, 07, 4:08 am
Its more expensive than a driver and car to Taichung at $4500 NT for a merc
I don't get your post.
The most expensive ticket from Taipei to Kaosiung is only 1490 NT Economy and 2440 NT in Business Class one way. Where does Taichung fit into the picture?
http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/travel/before/ticket_info.asp
I don't get your post.
The most expensive ticket from Taipei to Kaosiung is only 1490 NT Economy and 2440 NT in Business Class one way. Where does Taichung fit into the picture?
http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/travel/before/ticket_info.asp
PCheng
Jan 16, 07, 5:18 pm
I rode it the very first day of operation (01/05/2007).
Very fast and very smooth. The decor is functional but not as stylish as that of the French TGV or German ICE. No food service on board at this time, but frankly who needs it when the ride is 2 hours or less. No one dies by going without food for 2 hours.
Taiwan High Speed Rail is doing half price promotion till end of the month, so a roundtrip Taipei (Banchiao) to Kaohsiung can be had for less than 1,500 NTD, or about 45 USD, which makes it probably the cheapest high speed train in the world. Even at full fare of 90 US dollars it is still a good deal considering ACELA costs about that much for a one way ticket from Philadelphia to New York.
There are 2 different classes - regular and business. Regular uses 5 abreast seating, while business car is 4 abreast. Price for regular is 1460 NTD one way, while business is 2400 NTD if I remember correctly.
The media in Taiwan keeps calling the train a death trap, which to me is just absurb. Sure there has been some glitches here and there, but most of the problems are minor technical issues, and most are with the ticketing system. The problem can be solved easily if they just import the whole ticketing system from the Taiwan Rail Company, which handles more trains and traffic on a daily basis than the High Speed Rail.
Very fast and very smooth. The decor is functional but not as stylish as that of the French TGV or German ICE. No food service on board at this time, but frankly who needs it when the ride is 2 hours or less. No one dies by going without food for 2 hours.
Taiwan High Speed Rail is doing half price promotion till end of the month, so a roundtrip Taipei (Banchiao) to Kaohsiung can be had for less than 1,500 NTD, or about 45 USD, which makes it probably the cheapest high speed train in the world. Even at full fare of 90 US dollars it is still a good deal considering ACELA costs about that much for a one way ticket from Philadelphia to New York.
There are 2 different classes - regular and business. Regular uses 5 abreast seating, while business car is 4 abreast. Price for regular is 1460 NTD one way, while business is 2400 NTD if I remember correctly.
The media in Taiwan keeps calling the train a death trap, which to me is just absurb. Sure there has been some glitches here and there, but most of the problems are minor technical issues, and most are with the ticketing system. The problem can be solved easily if they just import the whole ticketing system from the Taiwan Rail Company, which handles more trains and traffic on a daily basis than the High Speed Rail.
Taiwaned
Jan 20, 07, 5:30 pm
Its more expensive than a driver and car to Taichung at $4500 NT for a merc
Hey I wasn't being obtuse. Your post wasn't in any context for me. Thanks for the clarification.
In Tainan, where I am. The station is actually in Tainan County in the middle of nowhere. It sounds like Taichung is also a long way from the center of the city.
Going to try it next month so I will report back my experience.
Hey I wasn't being obtuse. Your post wasn't in any context for me. Thanks for the clarification.
In Tainan, where I am. The station is actually in Tainan County in the middle of nowhere. It sounds like Taichung is also a long way from the center of the city.
Going to try it next month so I will report back my experience.