Buses
Most of the buses that are around are built after 2000. it seems
the oldest bus running on the road is of 1998 make suggesting that
their buses expire and get scrap after only 10 years of use.
Now the pros of this is that the buses do not even emit any
exhuast. the impression that taiwan buses are chui is sadly
mistaken. the buses are well mainatained and do not have any brake
squeals. however due to the current hot summer in taipei, many
buses radiators howl and overwork to keep the bus cool.
The buses are evaluated for Quailty of Service. this takes place
every two years by the governing body. the buses are then plastered
with flowers at the front dash . the more the flower the more
higher quality of service. Buses that are brand new naturally have
even up to 14 flowers.
Bus drivers are dorn ties and some vests. interestingly enough
amny female bus drivers were spotted. All wear uniform.
Paying your fare?
usually what u do first is
1) LOOK OUT FOR BIKE
Ok so there are many bikes in taipei. everyone owns a bike to
travel around. and these bikes, they do cut in between the bus and
you. As a safety measure, when the door pops open
1) A bus reversing signal is activated to tell bikers to
STOP
2) a cute stop sign flaps out from the door and acts as a sign to
tell bikers to STOP
2) BOARD AT REAR
Like the japense, because bus is flat fare, you only tap once to
baord. a vvery soft low pitch beep indicates you have succesfully
paid for your whaterver no of section bus ride.
3) i guess when alighting you alight at the front,.
now do note that boarding at front is allowed.
At night as buses come to a stop, beamer lights
switch on to tell bikers to be careful also.
Inside the bus
Each bus is equipped with a TV set (if applicable) all
Mobile Tv sets in taiwan are tuend to digital signals much
like our TV mobile. even our tour bus ahs it. even the taxis have
it.
Each bus has a PIS (passenger information system) . the disdplay
used is a standard miedium size LED screen. the screen is spotted
to display only Chiense chratcers.
Alternate short working or differnet bus
services
Such bus services like say 260 or 262 will have different
routing versions. to differentiate the Bus EDS will show in
green number for such alterante route
Taiwan EDS and service plates
Most taiwan buses use EDS. However every bus has a plastic
desto. Both plastic desto and EDS are used (simply defeats the
purpsoe of having the EDS really ...lol). However as notcied when
in bright daylight, the worst thing is u cant even see the svc no
due to glass flare reflect and the worst thing is green svc number
just cant be seen. ghence the need for plastic desto.
EDS formats
Depending on bus make or bus company, front EDS will show
A type) [ From Chiense service no in midle Destination
Chiense]
patch scroll - this interesting form of scrolling
whereby the english words start to appear in pacthes while majority
of the chiense words remain. after the scroll is midway through
more of the Englsih sections appear and then finally we have
[ From in Enlgish Svc no Destination : in Enlgish}
B Type [ From: Chiense big words below smaller font Enlish -
Svc no - Destination with same format as left side]
these kind of EDS need not scroll
- Note the goign by destinations do not to be seem to be shown
on front EDS. A side plastic EDS will show going by places.
Soemtimes both front and side owrds are stickered onto bus
windows indicating that the bus in use CANNOT DO CAMEO.
This is essenatilly same as Korea style.
WAB Services
WAB services are interesting, they call them Bo-Ai
routes. the EDS show a heart shape with the word "new" in chiense
in the middle. So Somtimes when the EEDS stays on this screen, you
have no diea what the svc is.
WAB services use two main bus models, the Daewoo with Scania
looking front and the Chiense makes SangYang and King Loong both
made out to look alike because they use the same bodywork
(haiz)
Wheelchair ramps are mannual oeprated. Buses are clearly
indicated by a blue wheelchair logo set in the bus livery of red
(for eagle consortium bus companies)
and the normal blue n white Wheelchair logo pasted in middle
below where the svc no wd be on EDS. (for other bus co)
amny interesting smaller signs n words are pasted on the rear
door which is the baording point for PIW and where the ramp is
located on both model. the taiwan WAbs use the same manual fold out
ramps as us.
ZYX
