Taichung BRT Launches at Noon on the 27th – All Four Cards Accepted for One Year of Unlimited Free Travel

▲ The Taichung BRT system. (Photo / Screenshot fromI Love Taichung BRTFan Page)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taichung BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Blue Line officially launched at noon on July 27, with buses departing in both directions from Taichung Railway Station and Providence University starting at 12 PM, running every six minutes thereafter. Starting August 10, passengers will need to tap their cards to enter and exit BRT stations, but they can enjoy one year of unlimited distance travel for free. The four existing transit cards used on Taichung’s municipal buses — EasyCard, iPASS, TaiwanPass, and ETC Card — are all accepted.

Before 6 AM on the 27th, the Taiwan Boulevard in front of Taichung City Hall was already packed with people participating in the “Taiwan Boulevard BRT Fun Run” event. An estimated 15,000 people had signed up, marking the beginning of this important transportation milestone in Taichung.

▲ The “Taiwan Boulevard BRT Fun Run” event on the morning of the 27th (left). The Taichung BRT system. (Photo / Screenshot fromHu Zhiqiang Fans ClubFan Page)

The Taichung City Transportation Bureau stated that starting July 27, freely accessible stations include A01 Taichung Railway Station, A06 Zhongzheng Elementary School (Westbound), A10 City Hall, A12 Qiuhong Valley, A17 Veterans General Hospital / Tunghai University, A18 Tunghai Villa, A19 Pingding, A20 Zhengying Road, A21 Hungkuang University, A22 Jinjiangliao, and A23 Providence University, totaling 11 stations and 20 platforms. Operating hours are from 6 AM to 11 PM daily, and passengers can board and alight freely at these stations without needing to tap their cards.

Starting August 10, A06 Zhongzheng Elementary School (Eastbound), A07 National Museum of Natural Science, A08 Zhongming Elementary School, A09 Dinghecuo, and A11 Shin Kong / Far Eastern Department Store stations will be added.

Starting August 17, the entire Blue Line from Taichung Railway Station to Providence University, except for A03 Ren’ai Hospital Station, will be open to passengers.

The priority section of the Taichung BRT Blue Line, from Taichung Railway Station to Providence University, spans 17.2 kilometers with 21 stations and 40 platforms. It is jointly operated by Taichung Rapid Transit Corporation, Uni-President Bus, Taichung Bus, and Giant Transportation, with unified dispatching by Taichung Rapid Transit Corporation.

▲ Taichung BRT Blue Line route map (Photo / Screenshot fromI Love Taichung BRT Fan Page)

New bus routes have announcements posted at bus stops. For those unfamiliar with the new routes, you can check the Taichung City Government Transportation Bureau’s bus dynamic website: http://citybus.taichung.gov.tw/ibus/BRT/BRT.html.

Taichung Mayor Hu Zhiqiang stated that there may be many areas needing improvement during the initial phase of BRT operations, but the city government is committed to making it satisfactory for everyone. He encouraged more people to use the BRT to help make Taichung the best possible home.