In conjunction with the TPASS commuter monthly pass promotion plan of the Executive Yuan, Kaohsiung City cooperated with Tainan City and Pingtung County, and have launched the Tainan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung NT$999 Commuter Monthly Pass Plan today (1st), connecting living-circle transportation services between the three counties and cities. The press conference for the launch of the Tainan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung Commuter Monthly Pass was held at the Taiwan Railway Kaohsiung Station. Vice President Lai Ching-te, Executive Yuan Premier Chen Chien-jen, MOTC Minister Wang Kuo-tsai, and heads of other central ministries, as well as public transportation operators and ticketing operators, gathered to witness the unveiling of the Taoyuan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung NT$999 Commuter Monthly Pass. Do not miss out on the plan that is a steal!
The Tainan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung NT$999 Commuter Monthly Pass Plan is applicable for the Taiwan Railway, Mass Rapid Transit, Light Rail, city buses (including bus-type taxis), highway buses, public bicycles (first 30 minutes free), and ferries (Gushan-Qijin, Cianjhen-Jhongjhou) in the three counties and cities, creating the convenient living circle in three major counties and cities. It is also the commuter monthly pass in Taiwan that provides the most diverse mode services. In Kaohsiung, the NT$399 Monthly Pass promotion has yielded significant results. The Taiwan Railway Kaohsiung (Dahu-Jiuqutang) local train services now include additional services at no additional cost, thereby providing more sensible and cost-effective discounts.
According to Vice President Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s most important policy this year is the monthly commuter pass for the northern, central, and southern living circles. Through the supervision of the central government, the participation of the government, and the collaborative efforts of all, integration has been made possible, ensuring the policy’s effective implementation. During his tenure as mayor of Tainan City, Vice President Lai promoted light travel by bus. With the Executive Yuan’s commuter monthly pass, scenic attractions can be reached via more affordable and convenient means of public transportation. As far as commuters are concerned, the commuter monthly pass eliminates the need to consider transportation costs, regardless of residence location, making a more comfortable suburban environment an option.
In his speech, Executive Yuan Premier Chen Chien-jen stated that it is the government’s duty to care for everyone. The government’s commitment to promoting public transportation has been demonstrated by the introduction of the Tainan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung monthly pass on July 1. The general public of southern Taiwan will be able to choose public transportation more freely in the future, making travel from remote areas to the city more convenient. Special appreciation is extended to legislators for supporting special budgets. In addition, the three county and city governments of Taiwan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung have responded fully to the policy of the central government, which has also been acknowledged. Moreover, gratitude is extended to the system operators of the mode, ticketing, and ticket verification machines for actively engaging in system modifications, and thereby achieving this important policy.
According to Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai, since the monthly pass policy has been under discussion, Kaohsiung has made every effort to seek subsidization from the central government for southern Taiwan in order to reduce public burden and promote transportation equality. To lessen the burden on commuters, the transportation rights and livelihoods of indigenous and remote communities should also be accommodated. Since the sale of the Kaohsiung NT$399 commuter monthly pass on the MeNGo platform on April 27th, the number of users has continued to increase, receiving overwhelmingly positive public feedback and ratings. Tainan City and Pingtung County have launched local commuter monthly passes in succession. In southern Taiwan, the Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung regions form a tightly knit living circle. Today, the three counties and cities have launched the Tainan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung Commuter Monthly Pass for NT$999, which provides unlimited and unrestricted access with a single pass. The support of the central government is acknowledged. It is hoped that the federal government will continue to expedite MRT construction, bus electrification, and MRT-oriented bus construction. Mayor Chen stated unequivocally that the education equality and transportation equality policies promoted by the central government are well-received by the general populace.
MOTC Minister Wang Kuo-tsai explained at a press conference that the first phase consists primarily of the three living circles in northern, central, and southern Taiwan, encompassing eleven counties and cities. The Tainan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung NT$999 Monthly Pass offers the widest variety of transportation modes, including rail, MRT, light rail, highway buses, city buses, ferries, and public bicycles. The most cost-effective public transportation services are available to commuters. To improve the overall quality of public transportation services, the MOTC intends to allocate NT$64.3 billion between 2024 and 2030 to promote the electrification of city buses. Moreover, the Public Transportation Service Upgrade Plan helps to subsidize bus operation losses and optimize bus waiting facilities. In the second half of the year, the MOTC will continue assisting other county and city governments with planning and promoting inter-city or urban commuter monthly pass plans to benefit more individuals, reducing the transportation burden.
The “Tainan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung NT$999 Monthly Pass” was introduced by the three counties and cities in tandem, and the general public can also purchase the “Kaohsiung City NT$399 Monthly Pass,” the “Greater Tainan Unlimited NT$299/NT$399 Monthly Pass,” and the “Pingtung Unlimited NT$299/NT$399 Monthly Pass.” Kaohsiung has increased the rebate for commuter monthly pass holders as a means of encouraging people to use public transportation, as well as encouraging the use of green public transportation. The volume of carbon reduction will be calculated mechanically by the system. A free month’s pass, for instance, will be awarded if the annual cumulative carbon reduction reaches six tons. On the MeNGo app or official website, it is possible to research ticket package details, TPASS and monthly ticket sales channels. Please visit the official MeNGo website (https://men-go.tw/#/) for information on monthly pass services for commuters in the Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung areas. Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung invite you to purchase a monthly pass, save money, and maximize your use of public transportation!
