The county government, in cooperation with Taroko Bus Traffic Co., has put the low-noise, zero-emission buses into service on Route 301 running between Hualien Train Station in Hualien City and National Dong Hwa University in Shoufeng Township. Three more new buses are expected to be added to the fleet before the year’s end and will operate on Route 302 between Xincheng Station in Xincheng Township and Tianxiang in Taroko National Park.
“The introduction of all-electric buses will provide residents and tourists with a quieter and smoother ride, while supporting our low-emission strategies aimed at safeguarding our beautiful and clean environment,” said Lee Kuo-yun, an official of the Hualien Economic Affairs Department under the county government. “We intend to add electric buses to additional popular tourist routes so as to enhance the passenger experience.”
Wang Bo-ren, operations manager of Taroko Bus Traffic Co., said the new electric buses that his company purchased from Kaison Green Energy Technology Co., based in central Taiwan’s Taichung City, have a 250-300 kilometer range, which means they can travel all day on a single charge. The vehicles are equipped with Taiwan-made lithium iron phosphate batteries, in-wheel electric drive systems and motor controllers.
“These next-generation electric buses demonstrate the economic and technical viability of low-carbon public transportation,” Wang said. “Though the purchase price of electric buses is higher than that of the diesel-powered variety, the electricity required to power them is about NT$400 [US$12.8] a day, compared to the cost of diesel, which is around NT$3,000 a day. Plus, maintenance and repairs are cheaper, too.” Wang said he is confident the launch of the new electric vehicles will improve customer satisfaction as well as his company’s operational efficiency.
In recent years, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and Environmental Protection Administration have offered subsidies to help local governments kick-start electric bus projects. Other cities and counties that have adopted eco-friendly transportation solutions include Kaohsiung, Taichung, Taipei and Taoyuan. (KH-E)
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