Bookings begin for Alishan’s Vivid Express ahead of May 24 launch
Bookings begin for Alishan’s Vivid Express ahead of May 24 launch
2024-04-23
Bookings have opened for the one-of-a-kind Vivid Express, which will run along Chiayi’s Alishan starting May 24. The newly remodeled train features a transparent cockpit and seats that swivel 360 degrees. It’s being managed by a travel agency, which will also offer tours on the Formosensis train later this summer. The launch of the two trains comes ahead of the full reopening of the Alishan Forest Railway on July 1.
The Alishan Forest Railway’s Vivid Express pulls into the platform.
Its design is inspired by the plumage of the collared bush robin, a bird commonly found in Alishan. The seats can swivel 360 degrees, so that passengers can soak in the view.
Passenger
It’s quite novel. It’s great. The seats rotate 360 degrees.
Passenger
This is a fully remodeled train. They even have a tour guide to talk us through the sights. It feels quite fresh and the service is great.
The Vivid Express will start operations on May 24. The Formosensis, which has already completed its trials, will enter service in June or July. Both trains are managed by a travel agency under a six-year license. Packaged tours are on offer.
Huang Min-hui
Chiayi City mayor
What we’re going after right now is quality, not quantity. The launch of the Vivid Express marks the beginning of this pursuit of quality.
Due to heavy damage from Typhoon Morakot and Typhoon Dujuan, service on the Alishan Forest Railway has been limited for 15 years. Last year, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency rebuilt the railway’s Tunnel No. 42, paving the way for a full reopening by July 1 of this year.
In light of a recent string of earthquakes, the railway operator plans to use ground-penetrating radar to monitor the tracks in the future.
Huang Miao-hsiu
Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office head
Before we start operations each day, every line on the rail will be inspected by our team. We will conduct a thorough check after any earthquake above a Level 3. If an earthquake occurs during an inspection, we’ll run the inspection again to ensure safety.
The Vivid Express and Formosensis will be extra services that won’t affect the existing timetable, the rail operator says. Once they’re up and running, each train will make one round trip each day, giving visitors a new way to experience Alishan.
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阿里山林鐵拚7月全線通車 "栩悅號"正式亮相
2024-04-23
嘉義阿里山森林鐵路因風災中斷15年後，終於將在七月全線通車。林鐵處也把握通車前，推出全新改裝的「栩悅號」和「福森號」，其中「栩悅號」週二上午亮相，下個月24日正式加入營運行列。
林鐵全新改裝的列車「栩悅號」進場。
外觀與內裝，取自阿里山常見鳥類「栗背林鴝」的羽色。座椅可360度旋轉，直接面對大面窗戶。
[[遊客]]
“很新穎，很棒，位子可以360度旋轉。”
[[遊客]]
“這個是全新改裝的車，而且他們還有導覽老師，會幫我們做導覽，所以會覺得蠻新鮮的，而且服務很好。”
「栩悅號」亮相之後，預計5月24日正式加入營運，而先前已經試行的福森號則在6、7月上線，兩列車以公開標租的方式，由旅行社取得6年營運權，將推出套裝遊程。
[[嘉義市長 黃敏惠]]
“我們現在在衝的不是在衝量，我們更要衝質，質的提升，栩悅號是一個開始。”
阿里山森林鐵路先後遭莫拉克和杜鵑颱風蹂躪，中斷15年，農業部林業保育署去年底完成42號隧道主體工程，力拚今年7月1日全線通車。
面對近日來花蓮、嘉義地震頻繁，未來將以透地雷達監控軌道，維護運安。
[[阿里山林鐵及文資處長 黃妙修]]
“每天要營運以前，每一條路線全部都有道班同仁去巡過，三級以上我們就全部會巡，巡到一半如果有地震還會再巡，所以這個安全一定要保證。”
林鐵處表示，「栩悅號」和「福森號」屬於林鐵新增班次，不會影響森鐵既有班次運行。上線營運後，兩列車一天會跑一趟，提供遊客不同的選擇。
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