Taipei Metro to reduce frequent rider rebates starting March

Taipei, Feb. 17 (CNA) Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC) announced Monday that cash rebates for frequent metro riders will be cut from the current 10-30 percent to 5-15 percent starting March 1, citing rising costs.

Those who take MRT trains between 11 and 20 times will receive a 5 percent rebate at the end of March. Rebates of 10 percent will be given to those taking between 21 and 40 trips, and 15 percent to those taking more than 40 journeys, TRTC said in a statement.

It said the decision was made due to rising electricity and labor costs.

In addition, the company said the cost of the one-month TPASS that covers unlimited rides on MRT trains, buses, Taiwan Railway trains, light rail and YouBike rentals in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan and Keelung will remain at NT$1,200 (US$36.70).

TPASS 2.0 users will receive an additional 2 percent monthly rebate if they register their pass on the official website and take at least 11 journeys per month.

The TRTC said around 300,000 people will be impacted by the cash rebate reduction.