A new tilting train to be used by the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) will be named “Puyuma (普悠瑪),” which means “together” and “united” in the Puyuma Aboriginal language.
The TRA has purchased 136 tilting train cars from Japan. The first 16 cars are scheduled to arrive in October, with the remaining train cars scheduled to arrive by the end of next year.
Because the titling trains will be operated along the east coast, the TRA and Taitung County Government have hosted an event allowing the public to propose names for the new trains. The name “Puyuma” was proposed by New Taipei City (新北市) resident Chang Yu-hua (張彧華). As a reward, Chang was invited to be the guest of honor at the launch of the Puyuma train service and can ride the train free of charge for one year.
The organizers also awarded 38 people who proposed names for trains, giving prizes that ranged from hot air balloon trips to accommodation at hotels in Taitung.
The TRA said it had received 2,214 proposals, which were voted online and reviewed by professionals.
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