Under the pact, the 100-year-old-plus stations will join hands on marketing and rail tourism promotions, as well as a raft of other initiatives such as commemorative ticket packages. In addition, Hsinchu Station is marking the event with a special exhibition on its history from Feb. 12 to March 31.
TRA Director-General Chou Yung-hui said the agreement will enhance public understanding of the rich history of both stations and play a key role in attracting more visitors. “The architectural beauty of these facilities deserves to be spotlighted on a broader stage.”
Hsinchu Station, which was designed by Japanese architect Manchou Matsugazaki and constructed in 1913, is a late Renaissance-style building featuring Baroque and Gothic styles. It is one of the oldest stations on the North-South Line and was declared a national historical site in 1998.
“Our station is a longstanding local landmark and extremely popular,” Chou said. “We expect it to welcome even more visitors and help generate additional tourism revenues going forward.”
Similarly styled Tokyo Station is also a major draw, Chou said, adding that the Tatsuno Kingo-designed building attracts a steady stream of sketch artists and photography enthusiasts eager to capture its many charms.
According to Chou, Hsinchu Station has a similar twinning pact with Grand Central Terminal in New York and the TRA is always looking for opportunities to boost the global profile of Taiwan’s railways.
“We are dedicated to showcasing the nation’s train travel sector abroad through appropriate partnerships and tie-ups,” he said. (DF-JSM)
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