New Taipei City Announces 10 New Welfare Measures Starting July, Including Increased Senior Transit Points

New Taipei City officials announced today that a series of 10 new policies will be implemented starting July 1. A key highlight is the increase of monthly free points for the 'Senior and Disabled Transit Card' from 480 to 600 points, designed to encourage elderly and disabled residents to engage in more outdoor activities to improve their physical well-being.

The 10 measures consist of 6 local initiatives and 4 policies aligned with central government directives. Local measures include the aforementioned increase in transit points, as well as providing the first 30 minutes free for YouBike 2.0E electric-assist bicycles to promote active aging.

Additional local updates include expanding rotavirus vaccine subsidies to include premature infants, improving health protections for young children. Parking regulations will also be eased, allowing three-wheeled motorcycles to use car parking spots or heavy motorcycle spaces, and enabling cargo-trikes to utilize loading zones for deliveries.

Furthermore, the city announced that starting August 31, 2026, free school lunches will be provided to all public and private elementary and junior high students. The 'Weekly Fresh Milk' program will expand from preschools to include all public and private junior high students. Starting in September, low-income and mid-to-low-income elderly residents will receive subsidies for two doses of the shingles vaccine.

Policies aligned with central government directives starting in July include increased subsidies for 'rental-based smart assistive technology' under Long-term Care 3.0, an increase to 9 child preventive health check-ups, full subsidies for newborn metabolic screenings, and the official implementation of regulations governing food delivery platform operations and the rights of delivery workers.