ETtoday News / Reported by Kuo Shih-hsien / Keelung
▲As Keelung promotes the electrification of public transportation, electric buses on National Highway Route 2088 have officially entered service. (Photo by reporter Kuo Shih-hsien)
Today (Dec. 3rd), Metropolitan Transport held an inauguration ceremony for the intercity electric coaches on Express Bus Route 2088 at Keelung Harbor Plaza. Keelung Deputy Mayor Chiu Pei-lin led a city government delegation to attend the event, joining city councilors, representatives from the Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and Metropolitan Transport officials to witness this important milestone in the electrification of Keelung’s intercity transportation. Chiu stated that Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang places great importance on improving public transportation quality and promoting urban sustainability. The official launch of the electric buses symbolizes a new stage for urban mobility in Keelung—safer, more comfortable, and more environmentally friendly.
Chiu further noted that the city government is fully cooperating with the central government’s policy to achieve full electrification of buses by 2030. Route 2088 (Badouzi – Taipei City Hall Bus Station) is the first national highway coach route in Taiwan to introduce electric buses. The initiative not only enhances the commuting experience for passengers but also enables intercity transportation to achieve both energy-saving and carbon-reduction benefits, laying an important foundation for the future transformation of public transportation in Keelung.
The intercity electric coaches on Express Bus Route 2088 have officially entered service, marking a new stage in Keelung’s transition toward green transportation. (Photo / Provided by the Keelung City Government)
Chen Yao-chuan, Director of the Transportation Department, explained that the new electric buses feature low noise, zero emissions, and extended driving range. They are also equipped with a variety of advanced safety technologies, including lane departure warning, video monitoring systems, and the advanced emergency braking system. Interior facilities have been fully upgraded as well, with thoughtful features such as USB charging ports and more comfortable seating for passengers. Each electric coach is estimated to reduce about 50 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, making a tangible contribution to improving urban air quality.
During the inauguration ceremony, Metropolitan Transport also demonstrated several operational features of the new buses and stated that it will continue working with the city government to promote the electrification and replacement of bus fleets, gradually improving both safety standards and environmental performance.
In her closing remarks, Deputy Mayor Chiu Pei-lin added that the city government will continue striving for improved public transportation infrastructure and commuter pass subsidies, encouraging residents to make greater use of public transit. Currently, residents can use the “NT$288 Keelung Commuter Pass” for unlimited rides on city buses and Taiwan Railways services between Keelung and Baifu stations. For travel around the Greater Taipei area, commuters can use the “NT$1,200 Taipei–New Taipei–Keelung–Taoyuan TPASS”, which offers convenient and discounted cross-city commuting. The city government will also continue optimizing route services to make Keelung’s public transportation system more comprehensive, safer, and sustainable.
(Photo / Provided by the Keelung City Government)
(Photo / Provided by the Keelung City Government)
(Photo / Provided by the Keelung City Government)
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快捷公車2088線電動巴士上路 基隆邁向城際綠能運輸新紀元 | ETtoday地方新聞 | ETtoday新聞雲