168 Circle Bus Line: Connecting the MRT Lines for Easy City Touring

　Transportation in Kaohsiung is now more convenient than ever! In addition to the MRT and public bike rental system, citizens can now take the newly-launched 168 Circle Bus Line to get around Kaohsiung. With 30 stops in total, the bus connects the Red and Orange MRT Lines covering all the popular tourist attractions around Kaohsiung.

　To fulfill the goal of energy saving and CO2 emissions reduction,, creating a better public transportation system has been one of Kaohsiung City Government's missions. As a result, the Transportation Bureau decided to launch the 168 Circle Bus before the light rail system starts construction. Officially launched on May 1st, the Circle Bus operates from 5:30 am to 10:20 pm daily and has 2 routes: the East route runs clockwise while the West route runs in a counter-clockwise direction. Aozihdi, City Council, Cultural Center, and Kaisyuan MRT Stations work as four terminal stations so the bus can circle the city.

　Now citizens will be able to get to the nearest MRT station within 12 minutes from any Circle Bus stop. Total driving time for a complete round is 90 minutes during peak hours and 85 minutes during off-peak hours. Driving time between the four MRT stations is around 23 minutes. In addition, to better serve the citizens, the city government provides several important services, for example, Exclusive Bus Lanes, Exclusive Bus Traffic signs, Free Ride Offer for any delays more than 10 minutes, an E-Bus Info System, and Smart Bus Stop LED Display.

　The Circle Bus runs along many important traffic routes, including Dashun, Heping, Kaisyuan, Chenggong, Hedong, and Hesi Roads. Integrating with the MRT system will improve traffic flow in the surrounding areas and is also very convenient for tourists to get to famous spots around Kaohsiung. Shoppers can get off at the Cultural Center Station, Hanshin Department Store Station, or Dream Mall Station, where big brand-name department stores, as well as shopping districts, are located. For tourists who prefer art and performances, the bus will take them to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Cultural Center, or the Film Archive, where various exhibitions and performances will definitely spice up their cultural experience. In addition, regular scientific exhibitions are displayed at the Museum of Science & Technology and visitors surely won't want to miss them!

　When approaching Chenggong Rd, the bus stops at Singuang Pier where tourists can enjoy the open view of the pier and ocean or they can take a leisurely walk to Sanduo Shopping District. They can also get off at the Ambassador Hotel and take the Love Boat instead, getting closer to the beautiful Love River. Hedong and Hesi Rd area is close to many Love River spots, like the Love Pier and Jhongdu Tangrong Brick Kiln. There are many public bike rental stations nearby as well, so visitors could rent a bike and enjoy an afternoon at Pier-2 Art District, Fisherman's Wharf.

　With 168 Circle Bus, the existing transportation network continues to improve. Residents and visitors can now utilize this fantastic transportation addition to get around and realize their environmentally-friendly lifestyle!

168環狀幹線公車 整合捷運 高雄市走透透

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　　利用大眾運輸在高雄走透透越來越方便了，現在來到高雄除了可以搭遊船、坐捷運、租公共腳踏車之外，還能搭乘新推出的168環狀幹線公車，路線分佈有30個站點，以捷運紅、橘兩線為軸心，形成涵蓋整個高雄市的生活網絡，串連高雄市的精華景點。

　　為落實節能減碳，推動大眾運輸一直是高雄市的重點工作之一，在輕軌捷運動工前，交通局推出168環狀幹線公車。5月1日正式上路的環狀公車分成東環、西環兩條路線，東環路線為順時針方向，西環為逆時針方向，以捷運紅、橘兩線的凹子底站、市議會站、文化中心站以及凱旋站為四個端點，環繞高雄市一周，兩條路線的首班車發車皆在早上5:30，末班車發車時間在晚上10:20。

　　在環狀幹線公車路網內，民眾從任一站搭乘至最近的捷運站都只約需12分鐘，單一環線全程總行車時間尖峰90分鐘、離峰85分鐘，以捷運四個端點切分為四區段時，平均每段約23分鐘；此外，更搭配大眾運輸專用道、大眾運輸專用標誌和標線、上下車誤點超過10分鐘免費、公車即時監控資訊系統、及智慧型彩色複合式LED公車站牌等服務，方便民眾使用捷運與公車路網。

　　環狀公車從北到南，經大順、和平、凱旋、成功、河東、河西等重要路段，結合捷運，方便周邊社區通勤之餘，還串聯了高雄多處知名景點。若是想逛街購物，利用環狀公車可在文化中心站、漢神百貨或是夢時代站下車，站點周邊除了知名百貨之外，還有眾多商圈滿足血拼慾望；若是想感受人文藝術氣息，環狀公車行經的美術館園區、文化中心、電影圖書館是不能錯過的行程，各式展演讓高雄文化生活更豐富精彩，另外，工博館站則是臨近科學工藝博物館，館內定期推出與科學相關的主題展覽。

　　行經成功路時會停靠在新光碼頭，在此可以享受開闊的海天景緻，或是前往三多商圈；而河東路、河西路段，則包括了愛河沿線景點，像是真愛碼頭、中都磚窯場等處，此外還能在國賓站下車，換搭愛之船，近距離遊賞愛河。更方便的是，河東路、河西路一帶，有多處公共腳踏車租賃服務站，下公車後，不妨換上鐵馬，自由穿梭巷弄前往駁二藝術特區、漁人碼頭、三鳳中街。

　　環繞高雄市區一周的168環狀幹線公車，讓遊玩高雄更輕鬆，搭配捷運、自行車等方式，利用高雄市完善的大眾運輸系統，實踐綠色環保節能減碳生活。