[Kaohsiung News] Following a notable 75% surge in ridership since the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail Line commenced operations in January, the Kaohsiung City Government's Mass Rapid Transit Bureau has reported significant gains. Stations including Heart of Love River, Dream Mall, and Hamasen have recorded the highest foot traffic, particularly along the corridor served by the pioneering bus Route 168. In response to these changes and to optimize service, Route 168 will transition into a community shuttle service beginning this September to align with the new academic year.
Launched in 2009, Bus Route 168 was initially intended to foster public transit habits among local residents in anticipation of the Kaohsiung circular light rail transit (LRT) system. Serving primarily students and offering shuttles for elderly residents and those accessing healthcare, Route 168 played a pivotal role in the city's transit ecosystem before the light rail was fully functional.
With the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail loop system now fully operational, approximately 20-30% of Bus Route 168’s ridership has shifted to the new LRT system. Stops near educational and medical institutions such as Kaohsiung Vocational High School of Commerce, Shu-Te Home Economics & Commercial High School, St. Dominic Catholic High School, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital have seen altered transit patterns, with student ridership of the light rail jumping by 85% over the previous year. Adjusting to this shift, Route 168 will be converted into a community shuttle that will facilitate connections between the MRT and LRT systems.
According go the Transportation Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government, to improve the efficiency of transfers, the main route of Bus 168 will be reviewed and adjusted to avoid overlap with the LRT network. The adjusted route will run along Siwei Road, connecting to Chenggong Road. The new route will include key stops such as Kaohsiung Vocational High School of Commerce, Shu-Te Home Economics & Commercial High School, St. Dominic’s Catholic High School, Kaohsiung Normal University Affiliated Senior High School, St. Joseph's Hospital, Minsheng Hospital, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, and United Hospital, catering to the commuting needs of students and the medical needs of local residents. Additionally, the route will link major transportation hubs such as MRT Kaohsiung Arena Station, MRT Aozihdi Station (Circular Light Rail Heart of Love River Station), MRT Cultural Center Station, MRT Yanchengpu Station, Department of Health Light Rail Station, TRA Science and Technology Museum Station, and TRA Sankuaicuo Station, providing a more user-friendly and convenient bus transfer service that connects with the MRT, LRT, and TRA systems.
The Transportation Bureau also noted that the new 168 Bus Route will be implemented in conjunction with the start of the school term in September. Prior to the implementation, efforts will be made to inform the public about the new route, and the route and schedule will be continuously reviewed and adjusted based on passenger feedback after the new service commences.
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