TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei and New Taipei's joint NT＄1,280 monthly transportation tickets have become a must-have for many commuters. However, according to transportation operators, these discounted prices have not necessarily attracted more people to public transportation.
Lee Chien-wen, a bus company general manager, said: "If you look at the Taipei area, in terms of Taipei City, the traffic volume has not yet recovered (to pre-pandemic numbers). In terms of Taipei City's joint-operated buses, the average daily passenger volume in October 2019 was 1.36 million. In October of this year, there were less than 1 million (passengers), around 990,000."
Taipei and New Taipei City have the highest public transportation usage in Taiwan. According to the 2020 public transportation usage data from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taipei City ranked first, with 40.4% of the public using public transportation, followed by Keelung City, second, and New Taipei City, third.
Taichung City saw only 8.6%, and Kaohsiung City, 8.3%. However, if we look at the percentage that uses private means of transportation, Taichung City saw 81%, Taipei 40%, and New Taipei City 53.8%.
Lee Ker-tsung, a professor at the Department of Transportation and Logistics of Feng Chia University, explained: "It is very convenient to use automobiles and motorcycles in the southern-central region. Unlike the northern region, parking in the Greater Taipei area may be difficult."
He added: "During the epidemic, many people purchased cars and motorcycles. When they own a motorcycle, and you want them to change to another means of transportation, it is difficult."
To increase public transportation usage, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has made relevant proposals for the upcoming year, such as NT＄1,200 monthly commuter passes.
However, experts suggest that the government should not only provide subsidies but also improve the convenience of the transfer routes so that passengers will be willing to utilize public transportation.
