New National Highway 5 Route Launched – Free Bus Rides to Yilan for Three Days

▲State-run Bus will join the fleet operating on National Highway 5 and will offer free rides for three days starting today (the 25th). (Photo / Eastern News)

Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei

Yilan is the eastern area closest to Taipei, and many people frequently travel between the two. On the 28th of this month, State-run Bus will launch three new routes on National Highway 5: “Taipei–Toucheng,” “Taipei–Yilan,” and “Taipei–Nanfang’ao.” Free rides will be available starting the 25th, along with limited-edition tickets to the Lanyang Museum.

State-run Bus will be the third bus company, after Capital Bus and Kavalan Bus, to operate on National Highway 5. The new routes — “Taipei–Toucheng,” “Taipei–Yilan,” and “Taipei–Nanfang’ao” — will pass through Yuanshan, Nangang, Toucheng, Wushih Port, Lanyang Museum, and Nanfang’ao Fishing Port. On weekdays, there will be 182 services daily, increasing to 284 services on weekends. Ticket prices range from NT$75 to NT$180.

Yilan is a popular weekend getaway for many. Traveling from Taipei to Toucheng takes about 40 minutes. In addition to the shorter commute time, taking the bus spares travelers the hassle of driving. Now that the Ministry of Transportation has approved another bus company to operate on National Highway 5, a fierce competition among bus operators for passengers is sure to follow.