A new shuttle bus service was introduced yesterday that will allow backpackers to tour Taiwan without having to drive.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony yesterday, Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) said the shuttle bus service would combine “green transportation” and “green tourism.”
The shuttle service was also designed to change the way domestic tour services are offered, he said.
“People don’t have to drive and now have access to a public transportation system that will carry them from their homes to whatever tourist spot they want to visit,” Mao said.
Tourism Bureau director-general Janice Lai (賴瑟珍) said that while the bureau’s Taiwan Tour Bus service previously offered package tours to independent travelers, it failed to meet the standards of the ministry’s “green transportation” policy.
“Given the increase in the number of independent travelers in Taiwan and the growing emphasis on environmental protection, we felt it was about time tourism policy took stock of such changes,” she said.
The bureau, in conjunction with local governments and public bus operators, now offers a shuttle bus service traveling to 20 popular travel routes, she said.
Lai said the number of foreign tourists surpassed 4.4 million last year — a 14.3 percent increase from the previous year and the highest growth rate in the Asia-Pacific region — despite typhoon Morakot and the economic downturn.
Tourism Bureau deputy director-general David Hsieh (謝謂君) said the Taiwan Tour Bus service would continue to offer package tours, while the new shuttle bus service will target independent travelers.
The bus signs for the new shuttle bus service, called “Easy Travel in Taiwan,” can be seen near stations operated by the Taiwan Railway Administration and Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp.
Starting this month, travelers can take the new shuttle bus services to Jiaosi (礁溪) and Dongshan River (冬山河) in Yilan County free of charge, a special offer that will last until the end of the year.
The new service also runs to Cihu (慈湖) and Shimen Reservoir in Taoyuan County. A one-day pass costs NT$100.
People visiting Tainan can take advantage of the service to Anping (安平) and Taichiang (台江), which will be free until June.
Meanwhile, shuttle buses to Alishan (阿里山) and downtown Chiayi City, Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County and Kenting (墾丁) in Pingtung County will be launched this month.
Additional information about the service, ticket fares and bus schedules is available at www.taiwantrip.com.tw.
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