The Freeway Bureau is to offer a 30 percent discount on long-distance highway tolls on the two weekends leading up to the Tomb Sweeping holiday from April 3 to 6, hoping to ease traffic congestion over the break.
The discounted toll rate this weekend and next weekend would be NT$0.63 (US$0.01) per kilometer, translating into savings of about NT$130 for a trip from Yuanshan (圓山) in Taipei to Kaohsiung, the bureau said in a statement on Tuesday.
However, at the same time, toll fees would increase for travel of less than 42km per day during those weekends, the bureau said.
Photo: CNA
Motorists making shorter trips should consider using city or alternative roads to avoid higher fees and potential highway congestion, the bureau said.
Past experience shows that traffic volume increases by about 10 percent on weekends when the discount is implemented, the agency said.
This Saturday and on Saturday next week, some southbound entrances on National Freeway No. 5 would be closed at different intervals, while high-occupancy vehicle controls would be in place at northbound entrances this Sunday and on Sunday next week.
Travelers can find more information on the bureau's Web site or the Highway 1968 app.
The agency also urged people not to burn weeds or joss paper near highways during the Tomb Sweeping holiday, as the smoke could impair visibility on the roads.
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