The rider has to wave down the bus they want to take, scan their TPass when getting on and off the bus, and press the stop button on the bus when their stop is next. This overwhelmed me at first, but after taking the bus a couple of times, I feel a lot more confident in riding it. Many bus stops have a screen that shows the arrival times of the buses, and the same app I use for the MRT helps me track buses as well. It is not as easy as the MRT to change directions if you go on the wrong bus, but it is not impossible. I rode the wrong bus once; I had to get off one stop later and wait for another bus to come. There can be long waits for the bus since it is not as consistent as the MRT because of traffic, but I enjoy riding the bus because it is quiet, exciting to wave down and a reliable way to get around Taipei.
Taipei is praised for having safe, reliable, convenient, and punctual transportation. It can be hard to try a new way of getting around without knowing the language, but with help from others and experience, using the public transportation system has become a fun adventure for me that I know I will miss when I go back to the United States.
The way people get around Taiwan is closely connected to the culture and environment. Streets are very busy in Taipei, so many people choose smaller and more efficient ways to travel, such as scooters, buses, and the MRT. The MRT and bus system are used by a lot of people to reduce traffic and air pollution. I also noticed that many people enjoy walking or riding bicycles, which encourages a more active and community-centered lifestyle.
