TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications said Thursday it plans to invest NT$36.4 billion (US$1.16 billion) over the next four years to further expand and improve the Tpass commuter program.

The NT$7.5 billion funding request for next year has been submitted to the Legislative Yuan, according to CTEE.

The Tpass is a monthly public transit pass covering major metropolitan areas in northern, central, and southern Taiwan. It provides access to multiple transportation systems, including Taiwan Railways, metro networks, and shared bikes, according to Elle.

Public Transport Director Hu Ti-chi (胡迪琦) said about 688,000 people top up Tpass 1.0 each month, while 294,000 register for Tpass 2.0. Nearly 1 million commuters use Tpass monthly, contributing to a 27.4% increase in public transit ridership last year compared with 2022.

Hu said the new budget will support upgrades such as QR code ticketing, expanded loyalty discounts, and improved supporting services.

With transportation policy closely tied to daily life, the Cabinet urged lawmakers to expedite the central government budget review. Spokesperson Lee Hui-chih (李慧芝) said the Tpass program benefits a wide range of commuters and should not be delayed.

Deputy Transportation Minister Chen Yen-po (陳彥伯) added that the program has an 85% satisfaction rate. He said Tpass helps reduce commuting costs and encourages public transit use, and the ministry will continue pushing for budget approval to safeguard commuter interests.