The Transportation Ministry announced a series of nationwide and regional discounts this Friday, April 17, to take part in the International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) World Public Transport Day.

Transportation Deputy Minister Chen Yen-po (陳彥伯) launched the promotions in collaboration with 12 local governments and 4 major transportation companies. These include free rides and discounts for buses, Taiwan Railway, Taiwan High Speed Rail, Metro Taipei, and YouBike.

Chen said, “Taiwan not only needs to connect with the world, it needs to take the lead.” 

The deputy minister emphasized how many counties, cities, and special municipalities across Taiwan have come together to make the promotions possible.

Chen added, “The key is to promote public transportation, which not only solves the problem of traffic congestion, but more importantly is a very concrete and crucial action for net-zero transformation.”

Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) noted that the ministry has launched 515 Happiness Bus routes in 194 townships across Taiwan, covering over 95% of rural areas. He said that the buses will be there for those who need them, letting the “warmth of transportation illuminate all of Taiwan.”

According to ministry statistics, since the launch of TPASS, passenger volume on railways and tracks in January and February of this year increased by 40% when compared to the same period in 2022. On buses, passenger volume increased by 20%, and for YouBike 138%.