By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
The long-awaited double-decker sightseeing bus has finally made its debut! Taipei will soon introduce open-top double-decker buses equipped with multilingual audio guide systems in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean, offering both daytime and nighttime tour routes. Travelers will experience that the most beautiful sights of Taipei City are not just its people, but also the historic architecture of the old town and the diverse charm of fashionable shopping in the East District.
A 1:25 scale model on-site showcases the striking red bus body. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism)
The barrier-free sightseeing buses are subsidized by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. They stand 4 meters tall and have a total of 59 seats across the lower and upper decks. The journey lasts about 2 hours, with an initial planned one-way fare of no more than NT$300. Routes include a Fashion Line passing by Taipei 101, Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Yongkang Street, and Liaoning Street Night Market; and a Classic Line featuring Ximending, Beimen, Taipei Expo Park, Shilin Official Residence, and the National Palace Museum.
Unveiling press conference for the design of Taipei’s double-decker sightseeing bus. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism)
Since the double-decker sightseeing buses are slightly taller than regular buses, each route must be meticulously reviewed for factors such as roadside trees, power lines, traffic signs, bridges, tunnels, and overpasses. New bus stops also need to take into account sidewalks, parking spaces, and bike lanes. The Department of Information and Tourism has assembled a team to conduct comprehensive site inspections with all relevant agencies, aiming to launch the service by the end of the year.