In a few years, Kaohsiung, the second-largest agglomeration in Taiwan, has entered the ranks of the most innovative cities in terms of sustainable transport: we focus on this inspiring example.
Since 2006, Kaohsiung has increased the number of its mobility initiatives, encouraging its inhabitants to leave their scooters behind and to use bicycles and public transport.
In fact, the city has made a significant effort to improve and diversify its public transport offering, explains TheCityFix.
To start with, it has installed two high-speed “MRT” (Mass Rapid Transit) lines. These lines form a horizontal-vertical axis supported by a shuttle service network allowing inhabitants to easily get to stations. The city has also fitted itself out with a fleet of several hundred buses, all powered by both petrol and biofuel.
It has also encouraged individuals to turn to alternative fuels themselves: large subsidies are being offered to those wishing to buy an electric or natural-gas-powered vehicle.
A genuine success for soft transport
In addition, Kaohsiung is the first city in Taiwan to have launched a self-service bicycle hire scheme. Its programme has over 4,500 bicycles distributed over a hundred or so stations. The city has also built over 150 kilometres bicycle lanes.
Kaohsiung’s efforts have given it a good international image and have also, and above all, led to very positive results in terms of public transport use. The city’s inhabitants are happy: 82% of them are satisfied with the public transport on offer!
And the city is not resting on its laurels: many projects are still under consideration, among which new hydrogen buses, electric charging terminals, and solar-powered bus stations.
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