However you feel about Taiwan Railway systems, there’s no denying the popularity of their bento box lunches– which is on track to reach a new revue high this year.
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Early morning lines at the lunchbox stand in Taipei Main Station are a daily occurrence– with the meals so popular, people buy them whenever they plan to take the train.
One passenger says he likes to order his favorites in advance when he buys the ticket, so he is guaranteed a good meal to eat. Another says the lunchboxes are a trip down nostalgia lane. However you feel, there’s no denying the popularity of the Taiwan Railway’s bento boxes– whose rise is jokingly said to be held back by the railway itself.
The Taiwan Railways Chairman revealed that convenience store sales among other projects raked in over 3 billion in profit this year, and total sales are estimated to reach 9.2 million units, which will also be a new high in revenue. This is a much-needed profit considering Taiwan Railway’s losses of NT$12 billion (US$365.9 million) due to “necessary expenditures” over the last few years.
Honorary Chairman Wang Fu-Kai (王福闓) says they should employ a similar strategy to the aviation industry and look for opportunities for joint sales or bespoke lunchbox stores. Daan District Huasheng Area Chief Chen Chin-hua (陳金花) pointed out that more options mean more convenience– and with prices rising everywhere, the railway bento boxes look more and more affordable in comparison.
Perhaps sharing Chen’s mindset, Taiwan Railway revealed plans to build a central kitchen in Taipei Main Station, where it plans to develop more special lunch boxes to create a win-win situation for both the sales department and hungry passengers.
Amanda Stephens, for Rti News