MRT-bound bus service kicks off in New Taipei City
“MRT-bound bus service” is officially kicked off on December 19th at 1pm today at the parking lot between Minchun Rd. and Citizen Blvd. New Taipei City Mayor showed up for the inauguration and said that such service is used to encourage people to take public transportation within the city. The MRT line is expected to reach both Zhengho and Xinchun District in New Taipei City in the future, and the construction of Wuguo line has also started this May. In addition, Wanda , Zhengho, Shulin line are all under construction and will all link to other lines in Taipei City so both Taipei and New Taipei City can become a more completed and environmentally-friendly place.
Mayor Chu also adds that it takes time to build new MRT lines because new bus routes are also necessary. For example, Tamkshui line was lengthened with the plan to make new routes for the bus in Wanda, Zhengho, and Shulin areas. MRT-bound bus service is free during its trial run from now to January 18th, 2012. Also, in order to encourage ridership, free service is also available from 7 am to 8am and 5 pm to 6 pm every day after January 19th, 2012.
Such service is under the partnership of Shudo Bus, Capital Bus, and New Taipei City Government with 40 new low-ground buses, which is said to increase 15,000 tons of carbon emission annually to meet their goals of being more environmentally –friendly.
According to Department of Traffic, this bus service will go to Wuguo, Xinshung, Banchiao, Zhengho, and Xindian in New Taipei City, and it also links to MRT Xindian line, Nanshigen line, Bannan line, Xinshung line, and Airport line. It is expected that 252 routes during the week with 4-6 minutes waiting time in rush hour, and 8-12 minutes in off-hour and on the weekends with two charges.