Since its launch, the Tainan City Bus “Smart Bus-Hailing” service has been used more than 450,000 times, and the service is expanding to include all city bus routes, in addition to the six major trunk and branch lines previously covered. Tainan is the only city in Taiwan to offer this comprehensive smart service through which passengers can notify the driver in advance that there are people waiting for the bus at the next stop.
Director Wang Ming-de of the Transportation Bureau explained that the comprehensive Smart Bus-Hailing service is part of Mayor Huang Wei-che’s smart transportation policies. The Smart Bus-Hailing system, a nationwide first, offers an integrated solution to improve the bus-waiting experience. Passengers can notify drivers using any of three methods: the Tainan City Bus app, by scanning the QR code on the smart bus stop signs, or by pressing the button available at selected stops. The notification appears on the driver’s on-board unit (OBU), reminding them that passengers are waiting at the next stop. This feature not only prevents buses from skipping stops but also helps reduce driving stress.
According to Director Wang, to properly integrate the city bus routes into the service, they went through a series of system development, integration, and actual testing to combine the various OBU interfaces on the newly added bus fleet into the existing service system. The latest version added 150 OBUs and 716 bus stops along the 25 new city bus routes. With this upgrade, every route and stop in Tainan - including the six major trunk lines and all city routes - now supports the Smart Bus-Hailing feature. Director Wang encouraged residents to take full advantage of this convenient service, which remains unique to Tainan.
To notify bus drivers that there are waiting passengers at the next stop, users simply select their bus route and the stop they are at on the Tainan City Bus app, or scan the QR code on the smart bus stop sign for the estimated arrival time for all incoming buses, then press the “I Want to Ride” button to notify the bus driver. When the incoming bus is low-floor or wheelchair-accessible, the app will also display a “wheelchair boarding” option, allowing passengers with disabilities to alert the driver in advance. The city government reminds passengers that while the Smart Bus-Hailing system provides two-way communication between drivers and passengers, it serves as an auxiliary reminder. Riders are still advised to flag down the approaching bus manually to ensure safe and reliable boarding.