Taipei: Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. (THSR) has announced it will add 30 trains over the Mother's Day travel period from May 8 to 11, with tickets going on sale at midnight Thursday. The additional services will include 15 northbound and 15 southbound trains, expanding the options for travelers during this busy period.

According to Focus Taiwan, early-bird discounts will be available for all trains departing from their origin stations before 8 a.m. on May 9. In an effort to encourage college students to return home for the holiday, THSR will offer half-price student tickets on eight additional services.

Non-reserved seating will be expanded from the usual car numbers 10 to 12 to cars 9 to 12 on trains stopping at all stations during peak periods. These peak periods include 3-9 p.m. on May 8 and 4-9 p.m. on May 10 in both directions, as well as southbound services on May 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and northbound services on May 10 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

During these times, all regularly scheduled and added services between Nangang and Taichung will stop at every station, with nine cars allocated for non-reserved seating. THSR has advised passengers to check the "Ticket Availability" section to plan travel during peak periods and arrange connecting transportation in advance.

Passengers using an early-bird ticket must carry a valid ID matching the ticket. Those unable to present identification will be treated as traveling without a valid ticket and charged a 50 percent surcharge for the distance traveled. Students using half-price tickets must present a valid student ID, and if the ID does not indicate current enrollment, an additional certificate of enrollment is required.