TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Commuters waiting for delayed TPASS 2.0 rebates may see the money added to their transit cards on May 25, Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said Wednesday.

The three-month backlog covers about NT$27 million (US$835,000) in frequent rider rebates, after funding was delayed by the stalled central government budget, per CNA.

Chen said the Executive Yuan had agreed to provide the funds and local governments could now apply through the Highway Bureau for subsidies they had already paid upfront. He said reimbursements would be made as quickly as possible after applications were submitted.

The delayed TPASS 2.0 rebates cover January, February, and March. Highway Bureau figures showed 79,098 riders qualified in January for NT$8.54 million, 89,602 qualified in February for NT$6.85 million, and 91,905 qualified in March for NT$11.65 million, according to CNA.

The Legislative Yuan voted on March 6 to allow spending on 38 new programs before the full budget cleared review. The approved early spending included NT$7.52 billion for TPASS.

Chen also responded to a proposal from KMT New Taipei mayoral candidate Lee Shu-chuan (李四川), whose campaign is considering a paid upgrade that would add high-speed rail to TPASS.

Chen said Taiwan High Speed Rail already faced crowding in both capacity and passenger volume. He said TPASS was intended to encourage commuting rather than long-distance travel, and the ministry was not discussing such a change, per the report.