The Ministry of Transportation and Communications is planning to invest NT$20 billion (US$668.9 million) over the next three years to subsidize three regional monthly transit pass projects.
The ministry said it hopes to encourage greater adoption of public transportation through the passes, adding that it is working with local governments to devise passes for northern, central and southern Taiwan, similar to the NT$1,280 transit pass for Taipei and New Taipei City, and the MeNGo pass for Kaohsiung.
The plans involve an expansion of the pass for Taipei and New Taipei City to include Keelung and Taoyuan, the ministry said.
Photo courtesy of the Kuo Kuang Motor Transportation Co
The Kaohsiung pass would be expanded to cover Tainan and Pingtung County, while the central Taiwan pass would cover Taichung, and Nantou and Changhua counties, it said.
The ministry said it would announce specifics about the subsidies by the end of this month.
Its initial estimates show that commuters in the areas covered would save 50 to 70 percent per month, it added.
The ministry said the plan seeks to boost ridership, as the number of people using public transportation has sharply fallen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic early in 2020.
That affected the finances of local public transit systems and their ability to cover operational costs, it said.
The budget for the subsidies would be included in post-pandemic economic-stimulus regulations, Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) said.
The ministry would subsidize the passes over the next three years, he said, adding that the program would continue if the ridership increases over that period.
The passes are tailored to the needs of students and people commuting to work, including metropolitan railway systems, buses and bike-sharing programs, he said.
Separately, the ministry is also planning to improve sightseeing bus services by including routes that cover more sites and scenic areas, he said.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Ou-po (陳歐珀) on Saturday urged the ministry to also include Yilan County in the subsidy program.
Directorate-General of Highways Director Chen Wen-jui (陳文瑞) said the needs of Yilan residents would not be ignored, adding that the plans are in the initial stage.
The ministry would continue to collect feedback from the public and local governments, and would make adjustments based on it, he said.
The ministry is planning a meeting with representatives from 22 counties and municipalities this week, he said.
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