4 New Bus Routes Launch on Tamsui Bridge, 49 NT Dollar Day Pass for Sightseeing

(Central News Agency, reporter Cao Yayan, New Taipei City, 11th) Four bus routes crossing the Tamsui Bridge officially began operations today. On weekdays, they provide over 80 trips per day for cross-bridge sightseeing or travel to the airport and Banqiao. The airport express line takes just one hour one way. The sightseeing bus day pass costs 49 NT dollars for unlimited rides, allowing travel to popular attractions in Tamsui and Bali.

In coordination with the opening of the Tamsui Bridge, the New Taipei City Transportation Department established four new bus routes: the "988 Banqiao Express Line," "989 Airport Express Line," "990 Airport Express Line," and "115 Tamsui Bali Sightseeing Bus." These officially launched today. New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih, Transportation Department Director Chung Ming-shih, Legislator Hung Meng-kai, Councilors Chen Wei-chieh and Cheng Yu-en attended the inauguration ceremony.

Mayor Hou stated in his speech that the Tamsui Bridge is not only a crucial transportation infrastructure project in northern Taiwan but has also become a nationally renowned landmark within a month of its opening, attracting over 10,000 tourists daily on holidays to admire the bridge and the Tamsui sunset. He said the official launch of the four new bus routes marks a new era for public transportation in the Tamsui-Bali area.

Hou mentioned that after a four-week trial run, integrating feedback from trial passengers and bus operators, the Transportation Department made rolling adjustments to route alignments, stops, and schedules. They developed express direct buses with two round trips on weekdays between the Tamsui Hai New Town and Banqiao, aiming to make commuting faster and better meet public needs.

Chung Ming-shih stated that citizens can now use the new express buses via online reservation or waiting at bus stops. The "988 Banqiao Express Line" provides 20 trips in each direction between Tamsui Hai New Town and Banqiao Bus Station on weekdays. The "989 Airport Express Line" and "990 Airport Express Line" each operate 10 trips per direction daily from Tamsui Hai New Town and MRT Tamsui Station to Taoyuan Airport, taking only 60 minutes one way with a fare of 120 NT dollars. They can also be used with the TPASS Keelung-Taipei-Taoyuan 1200 monthly pass or senior/disabled citizen cards, offering great value.

Chung said the "115 Tamsui Bali Sightseeing Bus" is New Taipei City's third sightseeing bus route, following Yingge 731 and Ruifang 177. It connects popular attractions like Tamsui Old Street, Fisherman's Wharf, Bali Left Bank, and the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology. In addition to fixed schedules and departure times on holidays, the "115 Weekday Line" also launched today, operating Monday to Friday, crossing the bridge between Tamsui and Bali to connect the living areas on both sides.

The Transportation Department added that the sightseeing bus runs hourly from 10 AM to 7 PM on weekends and holidays, departing on the hour. Domestic and international tourists can purchase a 49 NT dollar day pass for unlimited rides. Alternatively, they can buy a single-trip ticket for 15 NT dollars or use a TPASS monthly pass. (Editor: Wu Surou) 1150611