New Taipei City Launches Second Phase of Bus Trials for Danjiang Bridge; Online Booking Open

Central News Agency, New Taipei City, May 27: The New Taipei City Transportation Department announced today that it has introduced four new bus routes—988, 989, 990, and 115—to coincide with the opening of the Danjiang Bridge. The second phase of trial operations will take place from June 1 to June 10, with online booking opening at noon today. Xu Yuan-qi, head of the Transportation Management Division, stated that after two weeks of testing in the first phase, the routes have been optimized based on passenger feedback, including adjustments to stops and schedules. Key changes in the second phase include reducing stops for the '988 Banqiao Express' to shorten travel time and increasing departures from Banqiao Bus Station. The '989 Airport Express' will no longer detour through Fisherman's Wharf on the Tamsui side, instead taking the Provincial Highway 61 expressway. The '990 Airport Express' has also optimized its routes on the Bali and airport sides. The trial continues to use the 'Frog Bus 2.0' platform for online booking, with a fare of NT$5 per trip via credit card. The 988, 989, and 990 routes allow 34 passengers per trip, while the '115 Tamsui-Bali Tourist Bus' allows 18. Bookings must be completed by 10:30 PM the day before departure. Passengers can board by showing the ticket screen on the app. The opening of the Danjiang Bridge is expected to boost traffic and tourism demand between Tamsui, Bali, the North Coast, and Taoyuan Airport.