The Hengchun Peninsula in Pingtung is a popular domestic tourist destination. To address the lack of public transportation resources in remote areas, the county government introduced the Hengchun and Checheng “Little Yellow Buses 小黃公車” to the suburbs. Over the past two years, they have served tens of thousands of passengers. While the service has received positive feedback from residents, there are also voices indicating its insufficiency. In response to local needs, the county government adjusted the bus routes. Starting yesterday, they added the Checheng Houwan line and increased the frequency of the Kenting She Ding line, bridging the transportation gap caused by terrain and offering a convenient and reliable transportation choice.
Huang Guowei, the director of the county’s transportation and tourism department, said the Hengchun and Checheng “Little Yellow Buses” originally had six routes, serving 17,230 passengers in 111 years and 14,338 passengers as of September this year. Considering the increasing demand and steady traffic in the Hengchun Wanlitong area, the county government added route 722 for Checheng Houwan and adjusted route 720 for Kenting Sheding to better serve the public for shopping and medical needs in Hengchun town.
He mentioned that the bus stops are convenient, covering many hospitals, parks, temples, communities, and government agencies. Reservations are also available, and the fare is affordable — only 10 TWD per ride.
For those with senior citizen cards or charity cards, points can be used to pay for the fare. From October 2nd, the point limit for these cards increased from 330 to 500 points, valid for trains, urban buses, and long-distance buses.
Seniors aged 65 and above are encouraged to apply for senior citizen cards. The county government annually adjusts routes and schedules based on local sentiment and needs.
“Whether it’s for medical purposes, official business, or shopping, it’s very convenient. It can meet the daily needs of locals, and you can even travel with companions. There just aren’t enough buses,” said 66-year-old Checheng Township resident Wu Xingu.
He finds it convenient and affordable. Those with social welfare cards ride for free, and advanced reservations allow for better preparations. Due to its positive reception, the service is becoming increasingly popular, often fully booked. If the frequency could be increased, it would be even better.
A resident surnamed Pan from Kenting Sheding mentioned that there are very few bus schedules and a long walk to the bus stop. While private cars are too expensive, the “Little Yellow Buses” that can be reserved to pick up passengers from their homes are affordable and cater to various needs like shopping, medical visits, schooling, and official business. The only downside is the limited schedules.