New Taipei offers free MRT, light rail rides Sept. 19-22 for Car Free Day

Taipei, Sept. 17 (CNA) New Taipei will offer free rides on one MRT line and two light rail lines for four days starting Saturday to promote green transportation and mark World Car Free Day on Sept. 22, the city government said Thursday.

The free service will cover the Sanying MRT Line and the Danhai and Ankeng light rail systems from Sept. 19-22. Buses operated by the New Taipei and Taipei city governments will also be free on Sept. 22, according to the city's Transportation Department.

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) said the initiative aims to encourage residents to drive less, adding that the government must first provide convenient public transportation so people can leave their cars at home while still getting around conveniently.

New Taipei currently operates 374 city bus routes, while its YouBike public bicycle-sharing system has expanded to all 29 districts with more than 1,600 stations and more than 340 million rides recorded, Hou said.

The city is also continuing to expand its metro network under its "four rings, eight lines" plan, with the goal of improving transportation links to support regional development in northern Taiwan, he added.

Transportation Department head Chung Ming-shi (鍾鳴時) said passengers riding city buses in New Taipei and Taipei on Sept. 22 will not need to swipe transit cards or pay fares.

The campaign will also include events at the New Taipei City Government Civic Plaza on Sept. 21 and 22, where residents arriving by public transportation will be eligible for limited-edition coffee vouchers.

This year's campaign will also feature "New Taipei Coffee Day" and live broadcasts of Taiwan's Asian Games baseball matches. The city's Sports Department will screen the games at Civic Plaza on Sept. 21 and 22, when Taiwan faces South Korea and Thailand.

People who use public transportation and upload photos to Facebook or Instagram can redeem one coffee voucher at the venue, with 2,000 vouchers available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Transportation Department said New Taipei will continue integrating high-speed rail, conventional rail, metro, light rail, buses, intercity bus services, YouBike and other shared mobility options to provide more green transportation choices and encourage residents to reduce carbon emissions by driving less.