Taipei, New Taipei to offer free bus rides on Sept. 22

All bus services in Taipei and New Taipei City are to be free on Sept. 22 to mark World Car Free Day, the city governments announced yesterday.A total of 5,842 buses operating on 719 routes across the two cities would participate, including early morning departures and late-night services continuing into the early hours of Sept. 23, officials said.The initiative aims to raise awareness of alternative ways to commute and encourage people to break their driving habits, Taipei Deputy Mayor Chang Wen-te (張溫德) told a news conference. Department of Transportation directors Hsieh Ming-hung of Taipei, left, and Chung Ming-shi of New Taipei City announce a joint free bus ride initiative in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA All buses are to display signs indicating that rides are free, and ticket machine