Cheaper intercity bus travel announced for New Year's Day holiday

Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) Traveling on all 88 intercity bus routes across Taiwan will be cheaper during the Dec. 30-Jan. 1 New Year's Day holiday in anticipation of traffic spikes, the Highway Bureau said Wednesday.

Passengers will have their bus fare either calculated based on the weekday price or be offered a 15 percent discount, the bureau said in a press release.

In addition, passengers taking selected bus routes in eastern Taiwan will be able to choose between two preferential packages limited to the area, the bureau said.

It explained that one of the special packages allows passengers to rent a car or a motorcycle on arrival for a cheaper price, along with a further price cut on their return bus trip (NT$200 per car rental and NT$100 per motorcycle rental).

The second option allows passengers who also use local accommodation or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle services under the Tourism Administration to travel both ways in a group of four for the price of three on selected bus routes, plus a NT$200 (US$6.4) bus fare cut per group, the bureau said.

Meanwhile, passengers taking Taiwan Railways Administration or Taiwan High Speed Rail services can enjoy a discount on local bus transfers within 10 hours of their arrival, officials said.

According to the bureau, traffic congestion is expected to be worse on provincial highways No. 1, No. 9, and No. 61, as well as others roads connecting to the nation's freeways and tourist spots during the holiday.