COST OF LIVING/Electricity, taxi and other charges to be increased from April

Taipei, March 30 (CNA) A range of new charging standards and subsidies will take effect from early April, including increased electricity prices, taxi fares in Greater Taipei and tobacco tax.

According to Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower), the price of electricity will be raised by an average of 11 percent, but those with residential electricity consumption of less than 700 kWh per month will not be affected, meaning about 93 percent of residents will see no increase in their electricity bills.

In addition, small stores with commercial electricity consumption of less than 1,500 kWh per month will also be exempt from the price hike, which accounts for about 84 percent of small stores.

From 0:00 a.m. on April 1, the starting fare for taxi journeys in Greater Taipei will be increased from NT$70 (US$2.3) to NT$85, and from NT$90 to NT$105 between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., while the NT$5 extra fare when the vehicle is stationary is shortened from one count per 80 seconds to one count per 60 seconds.

The revised Tobacco and Alcohol Tax Act also takes effect on April 1. As a result, purchases of tobacco products, other than cigarettes, cut tobacco and cigars, will incur an additional tax of NT$1,590 per kilogram or per thousand cigars, whichever is the highest.

From April 4, child birth subsidies in Taipei will be increased by NT$20,000 for births after April 4, for which parents will receive a subsidy of NT$40,000 for a first child, NT$45,000 for a second child, and NT$50,000 each from the third child on.

To be eligible for the subsidy, the household registration of one of the two parents must be in Taipei and have lived in Taipei, New Taipei or Keelung for 10 straight months, according to Taipei City Government.

From April 1, the Directorate General of Highways will offer subsidies of NT$1,200 to about 2,000 people who attend scooter driving school.The course will teach students how to perform two-stage left turns, change lanes, give way etc.

Riders of YouBike rental bicycles in Taoyuan will have the duration they can ride for free extended from the first 30 minutes to the first 60 minutes, with the free ride distance also increased from 5 km to 10 km, Taoyuan Transportation Department said.

With a recommended YouBike tour promoted by the local Tourism Department and cycling tourism a major focus nationwide this year, the number of people using the rental service is expected to rise by 15 percent to 1.9 million people per year, according to the Taoyuan Transportation Department.

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