TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A proposed airport express bus line from Tamsui to Taoyuan Airport has drawn criticism from a New Taipei City councilor for making 24 stops.
During a city council session on Tuesday, DPP City Councilor Cheng Yu-en (鄭宇恩) revealed a preliminary route via the Tamkang Bridge, per CNA. Given the numerous stops, Cheng said the proposed route “is not an express at all.”
Cheng said the bus would start from Xinshi Station, loop past the Tamsui MRT Station, and make 14 stops to the Tamkang Bridge. It would then add 10 stops between Bali and Terminals 1 and 2 of Taoyuan Airport.
She added that the route would likely fail to attract both international travelers and residents. Similar services in Japan and South Korea typically stop only at major hotels to maintain speed.
She noted that Japan’s airport express buses have about five stops, while those in South Korea mainly serve hotels. “Therefore, if the goal is to attract locals, it shouldn’t stop at every station. If the goal is to attract international tourists, it should focus on hotels,” she said.
New Taipei City Transportation Department Commissioner Chung Ming-shih (鍾鳴時) said the proposed route is still under review. The department will continue discussions with the bus company that applied to operate it.
The department said the company’s proposed stops are based on existing bus stations and would use an eight-zone fare structure based on distance. No specific departure time or location has been set.
To improve efficiency, the department will ask the operator during the review to assess whether the spacing between stops is appropriate. A final decision is expected by the end of the year.
