Department of Transportation

In response to the interrogation of Taipei City Councilor today (December 14) regarding Blue Road business operation, Taipei Public Transportation Office replied that the number of Blue Road passengers from 2006 to 2009 was in average more than 70,000 which reached the peak in 2010 and 2011 for about 140,000 to 290,000 due to the combined service with the floral expo. The goal of 100,000 passengers thus had been achieved. The number of passengers in the past two years slightly decreased, but the Office has assisted the business operators in business transformation and development of new tourist trips, which increased the number of passengers in 2013.
According to the Office, Taipei City Blue Road targets tourists. The City Government has granted NT$4,000,000 annual budget for promotion and marketing of Blue Road, and assisting business operators in providing fine and characteristic tours so as to attract more passengers. The budget covers Blue Road pamphlets, souvenirs, promotional events, employment of tourist guides, and subsidy for after-school educational programs as well as relevant group tours. The “Blue Road Mini-Tour” launched in April 2013 was the first tourist package combining land and river tours. This popular tour has attracted in average 2 to 3 fold more passengers on holidays. The “Dadaocheng Tour” introduced in August is also a popular one. Another welcome tourist package is the performance tour that offer animated balloons, cotton candy and magic tricks. By the end of October 2013, the number of Blue Road passengers was about 58,000, 20% higher as compared with that in 2012.
The Taipei Public Transportation Office stressed that the Office will still work on special tours, which include river bank scenic spots, tourist guide, and marketing and promotion of Blue Road. It is expected that we will achieve the goal of 100,000 Blue Road passengers each year. The Office will also work in cooperation with other departments of the Taipei City Government to clear away river deposition, and enhance landscape along river bank and water source quality etc. We hope to create a new opportunity for Blue Road, making it better to travel with and more attractive to the public.

2013-12-16