Click：60
Division：運輸監理科
Date：113-08-20
Bus-Style Flexible Taxis and Happiness Buses Bridge Public Transportation Gaps, Increasing Rural Coverage to 100%
Kaohsiung City, covering a vast administrative area, has addressed the insufficient public transportation coverage in rural areas by introducing 48 bus-style flexible taxi routes in regions with lower population density. Additionally, the Kaohsiung City Transportation Bureau has launched the " Sharing Happiness Kaohsiung GO" service in the districts of Meinong, Shanlin, Liugui, and Neimen, thereby achieving 100% public transportation coverage in rural areas.
Addressing the varied transportation needs dictated by regional development, the Transportation Bureau initiated the innovative bus-style flexible taxi service in 2014. This service complements existing bus routes by covering less frequented schedules or extending service to remote endpoints. Presently, the bus-style flexible taxis offer services across 48 routes spanning 33 administrative districts in Kaohsiung, with future expansions planned to meet evolving public needs.
To further enhance transportation services in rural areas, the city has introduced the bus-style flexible taxi 2.0—" Sharing Happiness Kaohsiung GO"—a reservation-based passenger transport service in Meinong, Shanlin, Liugui, and Neimen. This flexible, point-to-point booking service facilitates social participation and meets the transportation needs of residents for education, healthcare, caregiving, and daily needs, ensuring 100% public transportation coverage in rural areas. This initiative also aims to reduce the risk of traffic accidents among elderly residents who might otherwise have to drive themselves. The Transportation Bureau has also set a goal to complete the "Happiness Bus" service in the nine rural areas of Qimei (Qishan, Meinong, Neimen, Liugui, Shanlin, Jiaxian, Maolin, Taoyuan, and Namaxia) by 2026.
Bus-style flexible taxis and Happiness Buses are transforming public transportation accessibility in Kaohsiung, greatly enhancing convenience for local residents, such as Ms. Chen from Taoyuan District. She shares, "Before, I depended on neighbors for a lift down the mountain. Now, I can independently travel during the scheduled times. It's comforting knowing the drivers are from our own community, adding a personal touch to the service."
The Transportation Bureau clarifies that both bus-style flexible taxis and Happiness Buses are operated using either taxis or multi-passenger vehicles identifiable by green license plates with white lettering. These vehicles display their route number and name but differ from standard buses. To board, passengers are advised to signal the drivers by waving, just as they would to hail a bus.
For detailed route information, residents can utilize the Kaohsiung iBUS app or access the Kaohsiung City Bus Information website at ibus.tbkc.gov.tw/ibus. Information on the Happiness Bus can be found on the Happiness Kaohsiung GO website at khgo.net, or by searching for "Kaohsiung GO" on the Line app.
Responsible Department: Transportation Supervision Division
Chi-Chin Li, Section Head, 0963-599-596
