Taipei Metro is putting handrails back into its redesigned trains after riders complained that removing the door pillars left them with nothing to hold on to — a partial win for commuters who joked they were "training their core" on the ride.

• The metro operator has awarded a contract to add 24 standing handrails to each of 54 redesigned trains.
• The redesign had removed the center pillars by the doors to free up standing room, which drew the loudest complaints about safety.
• Cars 2 through 5, where riders crowd most, got the changes: fewer seats, lower hanging straps, baby stroller space, and extra wall rails.
• Removing the pillars did help wheelchairs, strollers, and big luggage move through the doors more easily.
• Friendly-space areas will also get two more yellow hanging straps, a horizontal rail, and new signs.

Outlook: Handrail counts on Bannan line trains will rise from 846 to 876 per train, with further additions if riders keep asking.