Taipei: Taiwan’s two major rail operators, Taiwan Railway Corp. and Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. (THSRC), have announced significant schedule adjustments as Tropical Storm Fung-Wong brought heavy rain to northeastern Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, the THSRC has implemented changes starting from 6 a.m. Wednesday, reducing the frequency to three trains per hour in both directions between Nangang and Zuoying, the line’s terminal points. These trains will offer only unreserved seating, except in business class, where reservations remain necessary. The adjusted schedule includes stops at all 12 stations with departures at the top of the hour, 20 minutes past, and 40 minutes past each hour.

Additionally, THSRC plans to introduce two extra all-unreserved trains in each direction from Taichung Station at 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Thursday. The last trains on Thursday will leave Nangang and Zuoying at 9:40 p.m., reaching Taichung at 10:40 p.m.

Taiwan Railway Corp. has also made adjustments, suspending all express train services in eastern Taiwan between Shulin and Taitung from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and halting all operations on the South Link Line. On the Western Main Line, express trains between Changhua and Chaozhou have been canceled, while local and semi-express trains on both coasts are operating flexibly, depending on weather conditions.

Tropical Storm Fung-Wong is expected to make landfall in southern Taiwan on Wednesday evening before moving back to sea off Taitung County on Thursday, based on forecasts by the Central Weather Administration.