The ticket machines on Kaohsiung’s light rail do not accept cash bills — no change or EasyCard? You can’t ride!

▲Kaohsiung Light Rail trial operation has generated continuous buzz. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wen-hsuan)

Reported by Reporter Lai Wen-hsuan / Taipei

Taiwan’s first-ever light rail line has been in trial operation since the 16th. Besides the highly anticipated free trial rides, traffic conditions around the line after its official opening have also drawn much attention. On the 19th, a derailment incident involving a light rail car sparked even more discussion. Kaohsiung City Councilor Ho Chuan-feng pointed out in the council thatthe ticket machines on the light rail only accept coins and do not take cash bills.In response, the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation stated thatdue to cost considerations, the function to accept bills was not installed, but it may be expanded in the future depending on demand.

▲Kaohsiung Light Rail ticket machine. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wen-hsuan)

Boarding the Kaohsiung Light Rail requires passengers to tap their own cards. You can either prepare an EasyCard in advance or purchase a single-journey ticket on the platform. Although rides were free during the trial period, it was revealed by a councilor that the light rail ticket machines do not accept paper money. This has raised concerns aboutwhat happens if you don’t have any change or an EasyCard on hand — would you be unable to board the train??

The Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation explained that due to cost factors, a ticket machine that only accepts coins costs NT$800,000, but adding the bill acceptance feature would require an additional NT$300,000.Currently, the machines are pre-equipped with the hardware to support cash bill acceptance in the future, and expansion will be considered based on actual public usage.

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