Due to insufficient bus routes and services in Nantou County, along with aging bus shelters, residents have long faced difficulties while waiting for buses. The county government has recently launched the "Bus Stop Environment Upgrade Project," with the first phase installing 16 smart bus shelters and signs to improve the waiting experience. However, some residents believe that without increasing the number of services, the improvements will have limited impact. County councilors are calling on the central government to allocate more resources to improve transportation in Nantou.

The county government has reviewed all 207 bus shelters across the region and plans to upgrade them in three phases. The first phase prioritizes Nantou City, Caotun Township, and Puli Township, with construction on 10 smart shelters and 6 smart bus signs starting on June 2. The new shelters will be integrated with the "Nantou Fun Travel App," providing real-time bus information, and will feature enhanced sun and rain protection, seating, and lighting.

County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua stated that this marks the first step for Nantou toward smart transportation and a more people-friendly city. The plan will eventually expand to more towns and villages, aiming to create a convenient and human-centered public transportation environment.

A local resident surnamed Chen commented that without increasing the number of services and expanding routes, traffic issues in remote areas would remain unresolved. "Knowing what time the bus comes is useless if there are too few buses and they arrive too slowly — people will still be left waiting."

Councilor Chien Chien-hsiang pointed out that unlike metropolitan areas, infrastructure improvements in Nantou must progress gradually. "At the very least, passengers can now track bus schedules instead of waiting aimlessly like before."

Councilor Lin Ju-yang added that Nantou lacks high-speed rail, metro, and railway systems, and its transportation resources are severely limited. He urged the central government to allocate funds to help expand bus services and routes.

The county government stated that it will adjust operations based on usage and actively seek central government support, aiming to enhance public transport by advancing both smart facilities and bus services.

Source: United Daily News / Reporter Chiang Liang-cheng / 2025-06-21