TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Tsai Ing-wen visited Taipei Main Station on Monday (July 3) to oversee the implementation of the TPASS, a newly introduced monthly public transportation pass launched two days earlier, and ask for feedback from commuters.
Speaking at a press briefing, President Tsai highlighted the importance of making transportation affordable for passengers, especially commuters. She expressed gratitude to local authorities for their swift collaboration in implementing the pass just a few months after lawmakers passed it in late March.
Celebrating the first working day after the launch of the TPASS over the weekend, President Tsai described the new transportation pass as "a milestone for public transportation in Taiwan, as many commuters have already begun utilizing it." She also praised the introduction of similar monthly passes in northern, central, and southern Taiwan.
The TPASS, priced from NT＄699 to NT＄1,200 in different regions of Taiwan, provides passengers unlimited access to various transportation services, including metros, buses, railroads, shared bikes, and even ferries in southern Taiwan.
Minister of Transportation Wang Kwo-tsai and Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan Cheng Wen-tsan accompanied President Tsai to ensure smooth travel experiences for commuters.
According to Wang, approximately 307,000 people have purchased TPASS, and the usage count on July 1 and July 2 reached 414,000. This indicates that "many cardholders are already actively using the pass for travel, even though it was not a working day."
Wang assured that the government plans to continue implementing TPASS and stated that although it is currently funded under a special budget, it will be incorporated into the general budget in the future.
