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Taiwan

Kaohsiung

A port city in southern Taiwan. The light rail circles the city centre, and the MRT runs straight to the airport.

Kaohsiung City Bus (高雄市區公車)

You tap when you board and again when you get off. Miss the tap-off and an IC card locks, costing a NT$15 unlock fee plus the fare on your next bus. Bank cards don't tap here - it's IC card, QR code, or cash.

Updated 17 days ago

How to ride

  1. 1
    Get an IC card first
    IC cards such as iPASS are sold at the four big convenience-store chains and at MRT station service desks, with no ID needed.
  2. 2
    Keep the balance above the base fare
    If the balance is below the base fare the reader refuses the tap, and cash is the only way on.
  3. 3
    Tap the on-board reader as you board
    Tap as soon as you are on. If you pay cash, no change is given, so bring coins.
  4. 4
    Tap again when you get off
    Tap again on the way out to settle the fare - forget, and an IC card locks.
  5. 5
    An IC card clears on the next ride
    Board another city bus and it clears on board with a 特許扣款 announcement; with a ride code it comes off your account later.
  6. 6
    The route number tells you the fare system
    Four-digit intercity routes and E-numbered expressway routes have their own base fares and per-km add-ons.

Fares

Single fares4

City bus, one stage (up to 8 km)
Raised from NT$12 on March 1, 2026; the half fare is NT$8
15 TWD ≈ $0.5
City bus, two stages (over 8 km)
Beyond 8 km it counts as two stages; the cash fare is the same
30 TWD ≈ $0.9
Suburban and long-distance routes (four-digit coaches and E-numbered expressway buses)
Base fare plus a per-km add-on; an IC card or wallet caps a trip at NT$60, but E01 to Meinong is NT$100
21〜100 TWD ≈ $0.7–3
Double-decker sightseeing bus
Half fare NT$150; weekends and holidays only, phone booking 7 working days ahead, 5 passengers minimum
300 TWD ≈ $9

Passes & multi-ride2

MeN Go 24-hour pass (physical card)
Sold at MRT station service desks; 48 hours is NT$399 and 72 hours NT$499
299 TWD ≈ $9
MeN Go 24-hour pass (QR code)
Bought on the MeN Go site or app; 48 hours is NT$299 and 72 hours NT$399
199 TWD ≈ $6

Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
No bank-card tap to ride, including one loaded into Apple Pay or Google Pay
IC card
iPASS, EasyCard and icash all work
App tickets
iPASS MONEYMeNGo
QR ticketing
Ride codes on your phone - scan both on and off
Paper tickets
No paper tickets are sold
Cash
No change is given - bring coins for the stages you ride

Quick facts

Fares from
15 TWD+

Heads-up

  • A locked IC card clears itself on your next Kaohsiung bus

    It is the IC card that locks. A locked card still works on the Kaohsiung MRT, but the Transportation Bureau's current notice - the version in force from July 1, 2026 - warns it may stop working on buses and intercity coaches in other cities. It clears itself on the next Kaohsiung city bus you board, and the reader announces 特許扣款 as it does so.

  • A QR ride locks nothing; the fare is deducted afterwards

    Ride with a QR code and the account does not lock. If you scan on but not off, the back office reconciles the trip after the run, takes NT$15 plus the base-mileage fare from your account and notifies you in the app. The 特許扣款 announcement on your next bus is the IC-card path, not this one.

  • Double-deckers need a booking and enough passengers to run

    The double-decker sightseeing buses (Sizihwan and New Bay lines) are not a turn-up-and-ride service. They run only on weekends and Taiwanese public holidays, booking by phone is compulsory at least seven working days ahead, and a trip departs only if at least five passengers have booked. Fares are charged per trip; the old unlimited-ride option has been withdrawn.

  • Four-digit routes are coaches with a different fare basis

    Not every bus charges the same way. Plain-numbered city routes, trunk routes and MRT feeders go by stage, but four-digit routes are intercity coaches with a higher base fare and a per-kilometre add-on beyond 8 km.

Timetable

Typical duration The network that fills in where the two MRT lines and the light rail do not reach - and it charges by stage, not by distance
Check the official site for the latest times and service status