METRO DEMAND OVERTAKES TAIPEI'S BUSES

This capital city has a population of 2.2 million with another 1.3 million in suburbs. While four rapid transit lines are under construction, the city is served by 17 bus operations and commuter trains. A city bureau controls routes and bus fares. The municipal bus operation is the largest; it is part of the Unified Operating System which incorporates nine private companies. UOS coordinates the ten firms and provides for common ticketing. A two-zone fare system is used. Private vehicles are increasing rapidly in Taipei, complicating traffic problems. Until recently the commuter railroad has been a surface operation with many grade crossings further complicating center city traffic congestion. Before rapid transit is introduced, the Taiwan commuter trains will be put in a tunnel beneath the city. Subsequently this tunnel will carry a part of one of the subway routes also. Presently there is no mechanism to integrate all these transit operations.