KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Commuters in Kaohsiung City can purchase a NT＄399 (US＄14) monthly pass starting April 27, allowing unlimited rides on the city's mass transit systems.
This new pass will be available through the MeNGo app operated by the city's transportation bureau. The bureau has also announced that the pass will include access to public buses, light rail, and even ferries and is part of a larger initiative to promote the use of public transportation in the area.
Current MeNGo app members can purchase the new pass without exchanging their existing cards, while new users can register and link their accounts starting April 18.
To avoid the inconvenience of losing physical cards, the transportation bureau has implemented a QR code system for checking fares. The new pass will be available as a physical and a virtual card, costing the same amount.
Those who choose the virtual card option will only need to download the MeNGo app and provide their personal information and photo to become a member and purchase the pass online.
If you prefer a physical card, they can purchase it for NT＄100 (US＄3.5) at Kaohsiung's MRT stations or Qishan Bus Station and then apply for membership on the app.
In addition to commuters, students with digital student ID cards can use the new pass by linking it to their existing student ID.
The transportation bureau encourages passengers to use the virtual card option, as it saves the cost of the physical card and allows for easy access through QR code scanning on transit vehicles.
The new pass will cover a range of transportation services, including MRT, public buses, light rail, and even YouBike rentals for the first 30 minutes of use. Highways buses and express buses will likely join the program.
Starting in July, the Taiwan Railways Administration will also join the program. It will offer a pass that covers the entire southern Taiwan region for NT＄999 (NT＄35), further alleviating the financial burden of transportation for residents in the area.
