Taiwan - Prefer Mode of Travel

In Taiwan when I travel, I would prefer to use the bus rather the THSR or Taxi.  The travelling time in the THSR is shorter, but I will had to catch a shutter bus(NT30) from the airport to Taoyuan THSR station. Queuing up to buy ticket with 2 big luggage is a big hassle.

Taxi in Taiwan

Globally ‘LPG Gas’ is cheaper than petrol and diesel. This is the reason many taxi in Asia uses gas rather than diesel or petrol. Most taxi owner converted their cars for either petrol or diesel to use LPG gas. Usually the huge LPG gas tank would occupy the car boot, resulting insufficient luggage space for passengers.

When I travel for work, there will be 3 bags, one for my laptop, one for my clothes and one tool bag. Many times, the taxi car boot is only able to take in one luggage bag. The other bag will be put on the front passenger seat and belted.

 

Taichung City Bus

The bus fare for the first 8KM is NT20, after that it is NT2.4/km. There are 2 ways to pay for the bus fare, Cash or Cashless. The waiting time for a bus can be long.

Cash Payment

For cash payment, when you board the bus, collect the electronic card from the bus driver and tap it on the machine. When you alight tap the card on the machine, the amount will be shown on the machine and you cash to the driver.

Prepaid Card

 It will be economical if you use the prepaid or electronic card(ETC) There are four types of cards (EasyCard (悠遊卡), Taiwan Easy Go (台灣通), I Pass issue by Kaohsuing Transport(高捷一卡通), and ETC Card (遠東E通卡). If you travel below 8km, it is free.

Example – In Taichung, I normally stay in Splendor Inn. In the same building under the same management is Hotel Splendor. Near the hotel is the bus stop call Sogo or Science Museum station. The distance to the Taichung Railway Station is less than 8Km. If you had the electronic card it will be free travel.

Practically if I move around the city by bus, it is free travel by the cashless card. If I am going to the Taichung THSR station I will take the THSR complimentary bus. If your departure point is THSR station, and you had travelled with the THSR rail, it will be free bus ride to your destination. Normally you do not have the show the THSR ticket.

If you had not travelled with the THSR then you will had to take the normal public bus.