Tainan Public Transportation: First Experience

I had a trip to Tainan a few days ago, and I took this opportunity to experience Tainan’s public transportation. Take the Taiwan Railway to Tainan Station. After exiting the station, ride a YouBike on the way out and take a bus on the way back. Share your experience on this trip.

YouBike: Tainan Station (front stop 1) → Tainan Land Affairs Office

The TRA shuttle arrives at Tainan Station at 9:01. The former YouBike station is opposite the North Gate Road. To cross the road, take the underpass. Walking out of the underground passage, I saw a blooming Phoenix tree. The pedestrian underpass and the poinciana tree really have the flavor of Tainan. Of course, I still look forward to whether the city’s traffic can be more human-oriented, lah.

9:15 Borrowed a car. There are a lot of electric vehicles at this point in front of the station, but I still borrowed ordinary YouBike. The first 30 minutes are free, and a little physical activity is accumulated by the way. Although this day is super humid and hot: the humidity is 80%, and the body temperature is 32°.

The first challenge on the road is the ring in front of the station. The route I planned is to go south along Beimen Road, then turn to Fuqian Road and go west to Anping. After borrowing a car on the north side of the station, you have to go around the circle to get back to the south side of the station. I was a little nervous at first, but I went out smoothly according to the indicators.

Next, in order to avoid the East Gate Circle, turn into Xinghua Street in advance, connect to Wanchang Street, and then return to Fuqian Road. Then go straight on. Stop to confirm the direction before the city council on Nandao Road, and then continue to ride to Jianping Road to return the car.

The speed is fast, with an average speed of 18.6 kilometers. The whole journey is 4.6 kilometers, and it takes 23 minutes from borrowing the car to returning the car. Just in time for free. But it was really too hot. After returning the car, I quickly found a nearby convenience store to replenish water. Walk a short distance and arrive at the meeting place at 9:50.

Bus 70 Left: Yonghua Civic Center→Shangri-La Hotel

The meeting ends at 12:50. Go to Yonghua Road and take a bus. Waiting for the bus on the side of the road at noon, I felt smoke and burnt smell all over my body. Luckily it was only a 10 minute wait. The bus arrives at 13:04. First time taking a bus in Tainan in years. For the first time, I learned that the ticket for one section of the bus in Tainan City costs 18 yuan.

The bus passed through the central and western districts and southern districts where I grew up, and passed many familiar corners. Passing through Tainan Gaoshang and Jiaqi High School, almost all the students who came up on the bus were girls. The junior high school exam was held the next day, and the exam room was in the high school. The school was emptied after noon that day.

A student failed to swipe his card repeatedly when he got off the bus, and the yellow Baolu ticket checking machine displayed an error message in English. When she was at a loss, the driver yelled from the front, “You have to take the card sleeve off.” Later, it really brushed it off.

13:35 Arrive at Tainan Main Station. It’s really slower than riding a YouBike myself. But I don’t want to ride a bike because of the sun and heat at noon. It is more comfortable to take the bus to blow the air-conditioning and enjoy the scenery.

experience

Because I want to reach my destination as soon as possible, I chose a relatively large road when cycling. You can tell by looking at the average speed, it is a good ride. The streets and alleys of the old city must be different to ride. Next time I will find a chance to experience it.

The bus is also a key route to and from the municipal center and the train station, so the ride experience is good. A little further to the suburbs, or other routes, the experience may not be the same. It is also to find another opportunity to experience.

But on the whole, there is no problem at all in Tainan City without relying on private vehicles to move. It will definitely be more convenient after the MRT is completed.

further reading

• Not just commuting: daily frequent short-distance movement can better demonstrate the value of traffic monthly tickets
• Kaohsiung 399 yuan traffic monthly pass experience