After the introduction of time-based toll rates, National Freeway 5 remains congested. Yilan County Government: Off-peak hours should be toll-free

▲ Time-based toll rates on National Freeway 5 were launched on the 16th, but traffic heading from Taipei to Yilan was still congested in the early morning. (Photo credit: Eastern TV)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The trial of time-based toll rates on National Freeway 5 has led to increased tolls for Taipei-to-Yilan traffic, yet congestion still occurs. Yilan County Government said that price reduction measures should be adopted first, such as offering free passage during off-peak hours.

The National Freeway Bureau officially launched the trial of time-based toll rates on National Freeway 5 on the 16th. From 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, southbound tolls have increased by 50%; however, traffic from Taipei to Yilan was still congested in the early morning. Yilan County Government explained that multiple sections between the Nangang System Interchange and the northern entrance of the Hsuehshan Tunnel on National Freeway 5 still fail to meet the designed speed limit of 90 km/h, maintaining an 80 km/h speed restriction, which causes the Hsuehshan Tunnel to become a traffic bottleneck on National Freeway 5.

Yilan County Government noted that the peak-hour toll increase by the National Freeway Bureau will impose a heavy burden on commuters. The county government suggests adopting price reduction measures first, including free passage during off-peak hours, to encourage drivers to travel during these times — using incentives instead of penalties. The county government also stated that peak-hour toll hikes could severely impact the local economy, reduce users' willingness to use the freeway, seriously affect the convenience of Yilan residents in accessing the freeway, and may also diminish the willingness of people from the Greater Taipei area to visit Yilan for tourism. (News source: Central News Agency)