The Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau is making a concerted push to pull in more customers to 14 freeway rest areas, according to the ROC Ministry of Transport and Communications June 10.
A major focus of this push is new types of service, centered around improved web access, but traditional services are by no means being neglected.
Internet access these days is considered almost a fundamental human right, so the bureau has added free Wifi access and charging points for mobile phones, with plugs and adaptors for all models.
Another focus is making the driving experience safer for female motorists. “Special women-only parking areas have been introduced, with nighttime video surveillance and security guards available to escort drivers to their cars on request,” said Wu Mu-fu, the bureau’s chief engineer.
Other amenities include driver rest lounges at Hukou, Taian and Xinying service areas on Freeway No. 1, and free reading rooms. The bureau has also installed automated external defibrillators to save lives.
The bureau’s push is clearly paying dividends. Of the top five service area revenue earners, the first three are on Freeway No. 3. Qingshui Service Area in Taichung City is No. 1 with income of NT$646 million (US$21.63 million) in 2012, up 8 percent on the previous year.
Total income for all 14 service areas hit NT$3.2 billion in 2012, up 8.9 percent year on year, according to bureau statistics. Income at newly refurbished Zhongli, Hukou, Guanxi, Shizhan, Taian and Rende service areas saw a jump of 18 percent.
Taichung’s Qingshui Service Area pulls in large numbers of travelers and attracts tourist of its own accord, which has earned it the nickname "pearl of the night." Also notable is Guanxi Service Area, which relied on its heavy Hakka cultural influence to earn more than NT$300 million in 2012 and place third on the list. (SDH)
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