The whole city is your charging station！USB sockets installed on Tainan buses and bus shelters

Reported by You t
ru / Comprehensive report

Smartphones are ubiquitous, but if they suddenly run out of power, you could find yourself in a bind with no way to use them. The Tainan City Government’s Transportation Bureau has selected 10 high-usage bus stops (shelters) in the Tainan area, as well as 11 newly launched low-floor buses, to install USB charging ports. As long as you bring your own charging cable, you can take advantage of wait times to charge your smartphone for free.


▲Buses equipped with USB power outlets allow for convenient charging anytime. (Photo / From Tainan City Government official website)

The Greater Tainan area currently has 90 historic-style bus shelters that not only provide shade and shelter for waiting passengers, but also enhance the waiting environment with amenities such as nighttime lighting and real-time bus arrival information. To further activate and increase the added value of these shelters, USB free charging devices for handheld electronic products have been specially installed at 10 high-usage locations including “Train Station (South Station)” and “Train Station (North Station)” at the Tainan Railway Station roundabout, the Bingpei Factory Bus Operation Terminal and the opposite “Tainan Park (Park Road),” “Barker Memorial Park” and the opposite “Barker Memorial Park,” as well as “Yonghua Municipal Government Center (Fufront Road)” in front of the Yonghua Municipal Government Center, offering thoughtful services to the public.


▲%10 high-usage bus shelters have been equipped with free USB charging devices for handheld electronics. (Photo / From Tainan City Government official website)


In addition, on June 12, 11 brand-new low-floor buses operated by Xingnan Bus Company will go into service, each equipped with USB charging slots next to every seat. This allows passengers using 3C devices to not only charge them for free at the bus shelters while waiting, but also power up their devices fully inside the buses. The 11 new buses will be deployed on five on the Green Trunk Line, four on the Blue Trunk Line, and two on the Red Trunk Line. USB identification stickers are posted on the front windshield and bus doors for easy recognition and convenience.

Director of the Transportation Bureau Chang Cheng-yuan pointed out that apart from the four bus shelters at “Train Station (South Station)” and “Train Station (North Station)” around the Tainan Railway Station roundabout, where USB charging equipment is installed at the ticket booth’s bus information area, the remaining historic-style bus shelters have their USB devices installed on the right side of the bus information board. Each set of USB charging sockets includes 4–6 charging slots, with waterproof covers to prevent malfunctions due to moisture. A small shelf is also provided next to each set of sockets for temporarily placing devices during charging, offering the public a safe and considerate free charging service. In the future, the bureau will evaluate the gradual installation of USB charging devices at more bus facilities, making the whole city your charging station.