Monthly rebates for frequent travel on the Taipei MRT are to be reduced from 10 to 30 percent to 5 to 15 percent from next month, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp said today in a news release.
The cashback would be reduced by up to NT$2 per return trip for commuters who take more than 50 rides per month, it said.
Senior and concession EasyCards, including children and the disabled, and the NT$1,200 monthly TPASS would not be affected, it added.
Photo: Tsai Ssu-pei, Taipei Times
Under the financial pressures of rising electricity fees, increased wages and the national minimum wage increase, Taipei Metro is expected to report a net loss for the first time this year, the company said.
Instead of increasing ticket prices, the frequent passenger program has been readjusted to cover expenses, it said.
Under the changes to go into effect on March 1, passengers would receive a 5 percent cashback after 11 to 20 rides in a single month, 10 percent after 21 to 40 rides and 15 percent for more than 40 rides, which would be credited to their transit cards on the first day of the following month, it said.
For passengers whose monthly transportation costs exceed NT$1,200, Taipei Metro recommended purchasing a TPASS card, which offers unlimited rides for 30 days within Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung and Taoyuan.
TPASS includes rides on the MRT, Taiwan Railways, intercity and city buses and light rails, as well as YouBike rentals.
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