TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's newly introduced monthly public transportation ticket, "TPASS," aims to assist residents in saving money, reducing private vehicle usage by 5%, and contributing to Taiwan's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Taipei City Government also expects this new transportation pass will help alleviate traffic congestion and lower the number of traffic accidents, according to the section chief of the Transportation Management Division from the Department of Transportation of Taipei City Government, Liao Yuan-ling.
Liao also emphasizes that commuters who choose the new transportation pass can likely save NT＄2,000 to NT＄3,000 each month.
Effective from July 1, residents of Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan City will only need to spend NT＄1,200 per month to enjoy unlimited rides on buses, metros, railways, and bicycles.
This attractive offer could encourage commuters to seek housing farther from downtown Taipei.
Studies have shown that a commute time of 45 minutes is generally acceptable to most people. Therefore, those working in Taipei could choose to reside as far as Zhongli District in Taoyuan.
While the rent for a single room may reach NT＄20,000 near Taipei Main Station and NT＄13,000 in New Taipei's Banqiao District, the rent in Taoyuan averages around NT＄6,600.
By embracing increased public transportation usage and striving towards the 2050 net-zero emissions objective, the TPASS may benefit the environment and offer commuters opportunities to save on travel expenses and rent — a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties involved.