Free taxi alternative bus off-peak service  Kaohsiung’s Dahu Line launches on the 27th

▲Kaohsiung Dahu Railway Station. (Photo / From Wikimedia Commons)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Kaohsiung City Government’s Department of Transportation has launched a pioneering“Flexible Taxi Transport Service Plan” to address low ridership on city buses in remote areas and to provide better service to regions that are difficult for buses to reach. This initiative replaces buses with taxis and introduces four service routes: Dahu Line, Yong’an Line, Daliao Line, and Dashu Line. All rides on these routes are freeof charge. On the 27th, the Dahu Line began service north of Dahu Railway Station, with other lines expected to start gradually after mid-May.

Department of Transportation Director Chen Chin-fu stated that this plan maintains the existing off-peak bus schedules. Through an appointment system, passengers can more clearly know when the taxi will arrive, avoiding missed rides. Each trip also reserves 1 to 2 kilometers of flexible routing to serve residents in suburban and rural areas, aiming to achieve a win-win situation for the public, the taxi industry, and the government.

This project was awarded through open bidding to the “China Motor Transport Corps,” which has consistently received top ratings in annual taxi service evaluations. Taxis operating on these routes will display clear identification marks for easy recognition by passengers. The Flexible Taxi Transport Service starts from Dahu Railway Station, connecting with the Red 71 bus service, and operates during off-peak hours originally served by the Red 71A bus: 08:30, 10:30, 12:30, and 14:30 (departure times from Dahu Railway Station), totaling 4 trips; as well as 3 trips for the Red 71B bus during off-peak hours at 09:30, 11:30, and 13:30.

For information related to the Flexible Taxi Service, members of the public can directly call the China Motor Transport Corps service hotline at 713-1000 or 0800-087-778, or obtain details from the Gangshan, Qieding, Hunei, and Luzhu District Offices, village chief service centers, Red 71 bus stops along the route, Nangangshan Metro Station, or the Department of Transportation website.