Differential tolling on the second weekend  National Freeway 5 southbound still heavily congested

▲This is the second weekend of the trial differential tolling on National Freeway 5, but just like last week, severe congestion occurred. (Photo / Screenshot from the Freeway Bureau’s Traffic Information Center)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

This is the second weekend of the trial differential tolling on National Freeway 5, but just like last week, severe congestion occurred. According to traffic information from the Freeway Bureau’s Traffic Information Center under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, traffic volume began to increase at 7 a.m. on the 23rd, and after 10 a.m., the speed of vehicles on the southbound section from Taipei to Toucheng never exceeded 60 km/h. Especially between Shiding and Pinglin Control Section, speeds were consistently below 39 km/h.

The implementation dates for the differential tolling on National Freeway 5 are as follows: August 16, 23, and September 13, 20, totaling four Saturdays, from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a 50% toll increase for the southbound direction; August 17, 24, and September 14, 21, totaling four Sundays, from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a 50% toll reduction for the northbound direction.

Last Saturday and Sunday marked the first implementation of the differential tolling policy on National Freeway 5, yet severe congestion still occurred. The Freeway Bureau assessed that only about 3% to 5% of peak-hour traffic was diverted, falling short of expectations. (News source: Central News Agency)