It only costs NT$60 from Luzhou to Taoyuan Airport – Airport MRT shuttle bus to launch at end of October

▲The Airport MRT Pilot Shuttle Bus is planned to depart from Xuhui Junior High School Station, with a fare of NT$60 to Taoyuan Airport. (Photo / from Wikimedia Commons)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

With the construction of the Airport MRT line expected to be completed by the end of 2015, the New Taipei City Department of Transportation also plans to launch an “Airport MRT Pilot Shuttle Bus” in mid- to late October to provide passenger services. Travelers will be able to take the bus from Xuhui Junior High School Station on the Luzhou MRT line to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Taoyuan Airport, with a one-way fare capped at NT$60. Taking a taxi for the same route would have a fixed fare of around NT$900, making the price difference a whopping 15 times, which is relatively more economical for those who are not in a hurry or have no special needs.

The Airport MRT Pilot Shuttle Bus route starts from Xuhui Junior High School MRT Station, passing through Sanchung Junior High School MRT Station, Airport MRT Sanchong Station, Airport MRT Linkou Station, and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Station, before finally arriving at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Taoyuan Airport. The journey takes approximately 80–90 minutes, with buses running from 6:00 to 22:00. The fare is calculated in four segments, with each segment costing NT$15.

▲Taking the Airport MRT Pilot Shuttle Bus, it takes about 90 minutes to travel from Luzhou to Taoyuan Airport. (Photo / by reporter Chen Ruizhong)

According to Su Hsien-chih,Chief of the Transportation Management Section at the New Taipei City Department of Transportation,the Airport MRT Pilot Shuttle Bus has a fleet of 12 buses, each equipped with luggage compartments to accommodate passengers traveling with large baggage. During peak hours, buses run every 20–30 minutes, while off-peak hours see buses departing every 30–60 minutes. Although the exact launch date has not been officially announced by the operator yet, the service is expected to begin by the end of October.