Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin joined hands with comic strip characters Old Master Q and Big Potato at a press conference to promote Taipei’s charity taxi and sightseeing taxi on August 6.

In addition to unveiling the new logo of the charity taxi fleet, the mayor also engaged in an English dialogue with two certified taxi drivers on the stage. The public display demonstrated the fluent conversation skill of the certified drivers.

Hau stressed that Taipei is a city known for its friendliness and enthusiasm. The taxi drivers, who frequently carry both domestic and foreign visitors, are important goodwill ambassadors for the city.

To serve expats and visitors from abroad, a fleet of 6,000 comprising of cabs from 8 tax companies and 127 independent drivers have participated in the “sightseeing taxi” program. During his speech, the mayor took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the taxi drivers. With the approach of the Summer Deaflympics in September, he hopes that they will be able to help the 5,000-plus athletes visiting Taipei, showing our foreign friends the lively and enthusiastic aspects of the city.

The mayor also introduced the charity taxi fleet. Consisting of 3,417 vehicles from 13 taxi companies, the charity taxi provide special concession rates for seniors and disabled individuals holding a Charity EasyCard or a Senior EasyCard. By paying the taxi fare with their EasyCard, the disadvantaged passengers can enjoy a NT$16 discount for fares under NT$100, or a NT$32 discount for fares exceeding NT$100.