Act fast for a free trial ride—“Kaohsiung Light Rail” plans to start charging fees after September

▲ Kaohsiung Light Rail plans to start charging fees. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wen-xuan)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Kaohsiung Light Rail has been operating for free on a trial basis for nearly a year since last year. Its route has also expanded from the initial C1–C4 stations to C8. Now, the Kaohsiung City Government has begun drafting ticket prices, with charges expected to begin after September. Travelers who haven’t tried it yet should act quickly!

According to the Central News Agency, the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Bureau stated that the internal process of drafting fares has already begun. In 2015, the fare approved by the city government was NT$30, but that price was for the C1–C4 station section. Currently, the bureau initially leans toward distance-based pricing, but considering that the light rail has no gates, passengers must tap in and out to determine their boarding and alighting points. If passengers fail to tap, accurate fares may not be collected.

To prevent passengers from riding the light rail without tapping in the future, the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Bureau will also deploy more station staff to check tickets. Those caught evading fares will be legally charged 50 times the ticket price.