Taiwan High-Speed Rail

Last week there was a flurry of news of the about-to-be operation of Taiwan's High-Speed Rail. It was said that THSR will finally open to the public on the last week of December, this year. But, commonplace with high-risk public utilities like it, some safety concerns are raised (by the Taiwan Government) because of some derailment accidents during the trial runs. The Taiwan Government imposed a battery of tests that the THSR operators has to comply to, and of course pass, before the bullet train can finally open to the public. Taiwan's Consumer Foundation (CF) is on the lookout and has released stern threat to boycott THSRC (that C is for Corporation) if THSRC operates the High-Speed Train before all potential safety issues are resolved (Full Story: CF urges THSRC not to hastily launch high-speed rail system). That means we might have to wait a little bit more before we get a ride, it's for our best interest anyway.

Furthermore complicating the issue, it was said that THSRC requires taxi operators to pay them a monthly premium if they are to service THSRC commuters, for "using THSRC facilities". That aroused ires from some civic groups. Way the before the THSRC project officially broke ground, there has been a war between High-Speed train parts suppliers (Full Story: High Speed Train Gets Derailed ); and now that THSRC is knee deep into debt, it looks like they're going to extend their money losing days.

Well, all of those news of red tape and everything does not interest us to the least. We're interested how this THSRC is going to affect the day-to-day life of OFWs in Taiwan. The way we see it, it's going to be a boon to Pinoys although the effect is not going to be directly affecting their jobs.

First, we all know that most Pinoys particularly those employed in huge factories has to comply with curfews imposed by their respective dormitory managers. This is quite dehumanizing on the grounds that you are required to stay inside a predefined area for a certain period of time while you are not at work. Of all countries host to OFW, Taiwan is the only country we knew imposing this kind of control to Pinoys. Let's stop here, we reserve separate discussion on this subject. So we know it: Pinoys can't leave their "camps" before a predefined time, and has to be back later to that same "camp" on or before a specified time. Otherwise, you're grounded.

Because of that, Pinoys can explore Taiwan very limitedly. They can't travel away too far from their "camps" because they have to make sure they have to have ample time to get back. It is realy very limiting. It's much worse than a curfew imposed by your mother when you are at your teens. If your location is on the extreme North (Taipei) or on the extreme South ( Pingtung/Kaoshiung) and you want to travel to the opposite end, you'd need 4~5 hrs. Dorm managements usually allow Pinoys only 14 hrs to stay out of their dorms during non-working days. Deduct 10 hrs travel-time and you're left with only 4 hrs time to spend on your destination! Now, with THSRC enabling just 90 minutes Taipei-to-Kaoshiung, it will open a whole new world for Pinoy's in Taiwan. It should be an exciting news to Pinoy spouses in Taiwan, particularly those located cities apart.

Second, and the last I can think of now, THSRC will be a boon to Pinoys traveling to and from the Philippines.

There are two international airports in Taiwan, Chiang Kai-Shek (CKS) International Airport in Taoyuan and Kaoshiung International Airport in Kaoshiung. If a Pinoy is taking a leave from work for a "home leave" it usually is just 10 days (Yes, that's the standard leave granted to Pinoys). If you can't avail of flight on one airport, you can avail on the other but you have to take into account your travel time from end-to-end which is again 4~5 hrs. Bottom line, you have 10 days leave and 1 days surely goes to travel time. With THSRC, it would not matter much which airport I depart and arrive. It will be of much interest to Pinoys going to the extreme Northern Philippines because they could simply catch planes bound to Laoag, Ilocos Norte departing from Kaoshiung City, and it will not matter if their worksite is in Taipei.

Looking at the pics here, it looks like THSR is set to open really soon. There are already signs all over Taipei Main Station showing directions to the HSR Line. Let's wait and see...