Department of Transportation

Taipei City Government established a “special taxi motorcade” for the elderly in June 2009. It was the first initiative that uses the Taipei Metro smart card to integrate the Taipei Metro, bus, taxi receipts, GPS based radio communication taxi motorcades and social welfare. When this service was launched, there were not many low-floor buses and special transportation minibuses. The special taxi motorcade served as “auxiliary vehicles”. Now the number of low-floor buses has nearly reached 1000, and that of special transportation minibuses as about 180. People now have these options to choose depending on individual fare budget and type of travelling.
To increase facility utilization rate, the Taipei Public Transportation Office subsidized divers 1% administration fee on June 1, 2011 to lower driver’s capitalized cost. Relevant fees are subject to regulations about the Taipei City Government’s budget and accounting. The office also has reviewed and revised the procedures to claim the subsidy which greatly shortened the time to grant the subsidy. Promotions were also held for drivers, for instance, contests for drivers and passengers, advertising posters on taxi. The promotions were intended to encourage drivers to join in the motorcade, and drivers will get direct allowance for their capitalized cost.
The Taipei Public Transportation Office has published relevant publicity materials about passenger’s payment by cards, and held media conferences to promote the special service. The office will continue reviewing and revising the percentage of allowance subsidized to drivers and observing how people access to various type of public transportations. The policy of special taxi motorcade service for the elderly will be subject to flexible revision with the purpose to provide the public a better service.

2011-10-06