Taiwan Railway’s Pingxi Line and Hiroshima Electric Railway now share a sister railway relationship after they signed a cooperation agreement this Friday at Taipei Station. Taiwan Railway General Manager Feng Hui-sheng (馮輝昇) said he hopes the cooperation will boost bilateral tourism and accelerate the actualization of President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions.
Feng and Hiroshima Electric Railway President Yasuhiro Karii were both present to sign the agreement, commenting on what their respective railway has to offer. Karii said 10-20% of travelers to Japan visit Hiroshima, and that he is proud of the Hiroshima Electric Railway which connects Hiroshima to Miyajima, a small island nearby. The Pingxi Line is famous for its beautiful scenery and diverse experiences, making it popular among Japanese tourists, Karii added. He said he hopes that this partnership will bridge Taiwan and Japan, connecting tourists from both countries.
Feng said the Pingxi Line is the most popular railway branch in Taiwan, having operated for 103 years since its opening in 1921, and welcoming over one million passengers annually. He pointed out that activities along the railway’s nine stops such as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival have enhanced Taiwan’s international profile, even being recognized as one of the world’s must-experience festivals.
Feng further highlighted the railway’s potential for development as revenue increased threefold after promotions beginning in 2019, jumping from NT$50 million (US$156,000) to NT$150 million (US$4.7 million). The number of passengers has also increased from 87,000 to 230,000, he shared.
The cooperation is expected to include souvenirs, tickets, and planning that make it more convenient for Japanese and Taiwanese travelers to experience railway-based tourism in each other’s country.