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Taiwan's freeway bus fares to hike after March

The medium- and long-distance travelers would be most affected

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(Screenshot image of ibon ticket booking website)

(Screenshot image of ibon ticket booking website)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Taiwan's freeway bus operators announced a hike in fares for medium- and long-distance routes starting in March and ranging between NT$5 (US$0.16) and NT$40 (US$1.3).

To reflect the rising cost, the leading freeway bus operators have proposed hiking prices on the service since the end of last year, while they halted the plan under the call of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to keep their ticket prices unchanged until after the Lunar New Year travel season in February.

Kuo-Kuang Motor Transportation Co. recently announced an increase in its bus fares beginning March 7, with the route between Taichung Chao Ma Bus Station and Kaohsiung Station to be raised by NT$30 (US$0.97), from NT$280 (US$9.10) to NT$310 (US$10.07). Also, the route between Taipei and Tainan will be raised by NT$20 (US$0.65).

United Highway Bus Co. announced that all of its medium- and long-distance routes will be subject to change, with increases ranging from NT$5 to NT$40, starting at midnight of March 4.

Capital Bus and Kamalan Bus implemented a new ticketing scheme last December, but the two freeway bus operators running between Taipei and northeastern Yilan County are currently offering special Lunar New Year discount campaigns for travelers. The two have yet to announce the date for resuming their original prices.