No longer the "only city in Taiwan without buses" — Taitung City offers free rides on two routes for a year starting June

Reporter Chen Ziying / Comprehensive report

In recent years, tourism in Taitung has flourished, and this weekend’s annual hot air balloon event will also kick off with great fanfare; Taitung, once the only city in Taiwan without urban buses, will launch two bus routes starting in June, with free rides available to the public for a year. The introduction of urban buses also aligns with the upcoming electrification of the Hualien-Taitung Railway, making travel in Taitung much more convenient in the future.

The Taitung County Government stated that traffic congestion was almost non-existent in Taitung in the past, but with the growth of tourism and an increasing number of visitors traveling to and from the city, the county government believed it necessary to use public transport to alleviate pressure on urban road capacity. Last year, plans were made for two bus routes connecting ports, tourist attractions, schools, hospitals, and other key locations. These not only serve travelers but also provide local residents with a more convenient lifestyle. Named “Puyuma Bus,” the service will also launch a “Puyuma + Puyuma” Taitung travel package at the end of June, with 10 medium-sized buses operating on the urban bus routes.

 
▲ Taitung Urban Bus Route Map. (Photo / fromTaitung County Government Tourism DepartmentFacebook)