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Freeway traffic slow but steady

Travelers gather at Taipei Railway Station yesterday, the second day of the Lunar New Year, when families traditionally visit the mother's side of the family. PHOTO: CNA

Police said yesterday that they were happy with traffic flow so far this Lunar New Year holiday, but warned travelers about heavily congested freeway rest areas.

"It is our goal to shorten the travel time for everyone during the Lunar New Year. It seems that so far our efforts have been rewarded," National Police Agency Director-General Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said while visiting the Pingtung County Police Department yesterday.

The National Freeway Bureau said stores at freeway rest areas would remain open around the clock during the Lunar New Year because the facilities were packed with people.

The bureau said that despite the volume of traffic, no major accidents had been reported. Traffic was moving slowly but smoothly.

Last night a 6km-long line had formed on the northbound lanes of the Chiang Wei-shui Freeway (Freeway No. 5) connecting Taipei and Ilan near the Toucheng (頭城) toll station.

Highway police helped to control traffic flow at the Chingshui Rest Area on the Formosa Freeway in Taichung County, but vehicles were forced to wait in line as more than 1,000 cars occupied parking lots. Authorities have imposed a 45-minute time limit for each car visiting a rest area.

The bureau said that the toll-free period would continue for all freeways between 12am and 6am until Monday morning.

In addition, a rule requiring a minimum of three passengers will be in force for all northbound traffic between 7am and 3pm today and tomorrow. The toll-free mechanism will also apply during this period.

On the Chiang Wei-shui Freeway, the three-passenger rule and toll-free period will apply between 1pm and 5pm.

In northern Taipei, traffic to Yangmingshan (陽明山) will be rerouted between 6am and 4pm through Monday, Taipei police said.

In southern Taipei, the Maokong Gondola will be open to the public between 8:30am and 10pm through Sunday next week following three days of maintenance. Traffic restrictions will apply to coaches and trucks -- but not public buses -- for the Maokong area between 2pm and 10pm over the same period.

Meanwhile, the Kaohsiung MRT system's Red Line opened yesterday for a free trial. This will continue between 6am and 11pm through Monday.

The seven stations, including Siaogang Station (小港), Kaohsiung International Airport Station (高雄國際機場), Caoya Station (草衙), Cianjhen Senior High School Station (前鎮高中), Kaisyuan Station (凱旋), Shihjia Station (獅甲) and Sanduo Shopping District Station (三多商圈), were filled with passengers all day yesterday.
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