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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》New pass, east coast travel subsidies announced
A Taiwan Railway Corp train passes by a rice paddy in Hualien County in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Railway Corp
QUAKE ASSISTANCE: Those using the newest version of the ‘Taiwan Pass’ for travel in Hualien County can purchase two for the price of one from July to September
By Tsai Yun-jung / Staff reporter, with CNA
The Tourism Administration next month plans to issue a new version of the “Taiwan Pass” that would give people five-day access to Taiwan Railway Corp’s network, as well as discounts when using MRT railways and Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus services.
The original “Taiwan Pass” was issued earlier this year to facilitate travel across the country, and an international version of the pass, which includes the high-speed rail system, is also available.
The newest version of the pass would be available in July at a cost of NT$2,800, the Tourism Administration said yesterday.
Those buying the pass to travel in Hualien County can buy two for the price of one from July to September, it said, adding that more details on the offer would be announced later.
Travel subsidies to boost tourism in the wake of the earthquake on April 3, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale, would soon be issued for Hualien and Taitung counties, the agency said on Sunday.
Although Hualien was hit hardest by the quake, the two counties share tourism fundamentals such as transportation, culture and resources, so revitalization measures should be extended to Taitung, it said.
The measures would be implemented in three stages, said the agency, which earlier this month announced subsides for travel to Hualien.
The first stage of the Taitung subsides would be launched on June 1, with fares for Taiwan Tour Bus services along the East Longitudinal Valley reduced by 80 percent, while the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle would be free, it said.
From July, travel agencies would be eligible for subsidies of up to NT$15,000 for booking accommodation in Taitung for groups of 20 or more people, as long as the bookings do not cover more than one day over a weekend or national holiday, the agency said.
Subsidies for individual travel would be available from August to September, with people booking accommodation in Taitung receiving NT$1,000 per room for weeknight stays, it said.
The administration, which manages the East Longitudinal Valley National Scenic Area and East Coast National Scenic Area, said it would also collaborate with the Hualien and Taitung county governments on a series of activities in those regions to attract tourists and boost international marketing.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
