TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Since its launch in July, more than 2 million TPASS cards have been sold to the public in northern Taiwan, resulting in a 7.3% decline in private car use among commuters.
According to the Taipei Transportation Bureau, 2.08 million passes have been sold, and the average number of daily commuters using public transportation has increased from 340,000 to 460,000 compared to the same period in 2020, for a total of 21. % increase. While the numbers are encouraging, it is reported that public transport usage has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. UDN.
Additionally, the central government’s initial goal of reducing private car use in the Taipei metropolitan area by 5% has been exceeded, with the total number of commuters using private cars decreasing by an estimated 7.3% in the past five months, UDN reported. Ta.
TPASS is a monthly service that allows commuters unlimited rides on public transportation services in Greater Taipei, Taoyuan, and Keelung for just NT$1,200 per month.
According to Director-General Zhu Chinza of the Ministry of Transport, the number of TPASS users is expected to continue to increase next year. Since TPASS became available, Taipei MRT usage has increased by 18%, bus ridership has increased by 15%, and YouBike ridership has increased by 20%.
Despite the success of TPASS in encouraging greater use of public transport services, traffic congestion and delays remain a major concern for the Department of Transport. According to UDN, the government plans to prepare NT$900 million in subsidies in 2024 to improve and promote public transportation.