Taipei City Government

Taipei City Increases Subsidies on Senior Citizens’ Fares for Taxis, Sightseeing Buses
 
To stimulate the mobility and social participation of senior citizens and people with physical and mental disabilities, the Taipei City Government continues to offer its Senior Citizen Card and Charity Card, which offer price reductions on taxi rides for these groups.
 
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je noted that transportation is key to stimulating the social participation of senior citizens and people with physical and mental disabilities. The social welfare system must also be sustainable. Through the Senior Card and the Charity Card, the Taipei City Government subsidizes both group’s rides on taxis and double-decker sightseeing busses by reducing the out-of-pocket fares by 50 points (TWD 50) regardless of the amount of the original fare. This investment in the mobility and well-being of these special citizen groups delivers returns in saved healthcare and welfare costs, which contributes to the sustainability of the social welfare system.
 
Lowering the financial barrier to social participation by senior citizens and people with physical and mental disabilities is part of Taipei City’s efforts to build a comprehensive and inclusive transportation service network. The fare reductions through the Senior Card and the Charity Card are 16 points (TWD 16) for taxi fares of TWD 100 or less and 32 points (TWD 32) for taxi fares above TWD 100, with a monthly maximum of 480 points (TWD 480). Effective March 1, 2019, the Taipei City Government will issue Senior 1 and Charity 1 versions of the EasyCard (the nationwide universal transportation payment card), through which their users can enjoy a 50-point (TWD 50) fare reduction regardless of the amount of the original fare.
 
Presently, about 15,000 taxis in Greater Taipei are equipped with special card readers for the old versions of the Senior Cards and Charity Cards and the new Senior 1 and Charity 1 versions of the EasyCard. Senior citizens and people with physical and mental disabilities may phone the Special Taxi Service Line at 0800-055-850 (toll-free landline) or 55850 (from mobile phones; regular rates apply), then press 0 to book a taxi. Enjoy the ride!