[Kaohsiung News]
The Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City, in collaboration with Hon Hai Technology Group, has launched the upgraded version of the Kaohsiung iBus+ APP. Today (5th), representatives from industry, government, and academia—including Councilors Huang Wen-yi, Chen Hui-wen, and Huang Siang-shu, along with teams from Councilors Chang Bo-yang and Fang Shin-yuan’s offices—joined members of organizations such as the Taiwan Foundation for the Blind, the Love Blind Foundation, and the Hondao Senior Citizen’s Welfare Foundation, as well as the general public, in the "Kaohsiung iBus+ Upgrade Project Achievement Sharing Session." The event aimed to further enhance the iBus+ APP services, improving the accessibility and convenience of public transportation.
The Transportation Bureau stated that to promote green, sustainable, and low-carbon public transportation, it is crucial to address the needs of Kaohsiung’s relatively high proportion of elderly and disabled residents. As the primary public bus service platform for citizens, the iBus APP has been upgraded after 15 years to the new Kaohsiung iBus+ smart bus service APP. The upgrade focuses on ensuring transportation equity and providing all citizens with a simpler interface and smart functionalities. It also enables the elderly and disabled individuals to access public transportation services more easily. Since its launch, the iBus+ APP has garnered nearly 50,000 downloads within just five months, demonstrating its popularity among seniors and the general public. Additionally, it has received multiple international design awards, including the iF Design Award, Good Design Award (Japan), Red Dot Design Award, GDA Awards for Social Impact and Equality, and a nomination for the UX Design Awards 2025. These accolades highlight Kaohsiung’s strength in smart transportation innovation and design.
The Transportation Bureau emphasized the significant effort invested in developing the iBus+ APP. Extensive interviews were conducted to understand the diverse needs of different user groups, leading to refinements in app functionalities to address common commuting challenges. Since its launch, the app has not only incorporated real-time transfer information across multiple transport modes but has also added dynamic tracking features for MRT and light rail services while significantly improving overall performance. Moving forward, further enhancements will include AI-powered assistance, allowing users to interact with a voice-responsive AI assistant for an even more user-friendly experience. This will make smart public transportation more accessible to all citizens, creating a seamless urban mobility experience.
During the event, visually impaired user Mr. Hsueh shared his experience, stating, "The new iBus+ APP is thoughtfully designed with user needs in mind. The route planning function effectively guides visually impaired passengers to bus stops, including a unique feature that differentiates stop directions—something other apps lack. It is both convenient and considerate." Similarly, student Mr. Lee noted, "The app integrates multiple transport options, including light rail and MRT, eliminating the need to switch between multiple apps." These positive testimonials reaffirm the success of the iBus+ APP in enhancing user experience.
Finally, the Transportation Bureau expressed gratitude to all citizens who care about public transportation and called for continued attention to the needs of people with disabilities. The bureau remains committed to optimizing the iBus+ APP based on public feedback, striving to make Kaohsiung a more inclusive city with intelligent and accessible transportation solutions.
