To give bus passengers around the island greater convenience while traveling, a new universal electronic card reader is launched on three selected bus routes today. The new device is compatible with four different kinds of smart ticket cards currently in use, providing travelers with more streamlined transportation services.

Standard ticketing systems, including the EasyCard in northern Taiwan and the systems used in Taichung, and Kaohsiung MRT card, along with the highway toll ETC card, the new system on buses are now able to accept payment of bus fare with all four.

In order to allow cross-zone ticketing transactions to be smoother for passengers, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is sponsoring bus operators to upgrade ticketing sensing systems to accept all four kinds of electronic payments starting January 1st on buses with the special sticker.

According to the MOTC, it is difficult to consolidate electronic ticketing systems into one for there is a huge market and earning potentials,

therefore, the first step is to allow public to ride the bus with whatever electronic payment methods they have with the upgrade that cost NT$200 million.

Starting January, routes servicing Banchiao to Keelung, Taichung High Speed Rail station to ChangHua and the Kenting Express will accept all 4-payment methods.

The MOTC is planning to upgrade all Taiwan and off shore islands bus ticketing systems to the same one that accepts multi-tickets

while Taiwan Railway will follow suit in the effort to consolidate public transportation payment system to increase the passenger count.

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