Building a diverse low-carbon tourism network in Chiayi County to drive low-carbon living

In recent years, the Chiayi County Government has been gradually building a low-carbon tourism network. When planning county governance, it also takes green transportation development into account, supports shared transportation, and hopes to achieve seamless integration across transport modes. Since the low-carbon transport transfer center was established opposite the Chiayi High Speed Rail Station in January 105 (2016), it has provided the public with 7-seat electric vehicle shuttle services and electric two-wheeler and bicycle rental services. In January 106 (2017), it further launched low-floor electric buses painted with tree frogs on Route 166 (toward Yanshui, Tainan) and Route 168 (toward the High-Heel Wedding Church), with the High Speed Rail Station as the first stop. From the High Speed Rail Station, it takes only 45 minutes to reach Budai or Yanshui. After the routes began operating, residents of Lucao, Yizhu, Guogou and Budai find it very convenient to travel to and from the High Speed Rail Station, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital or the county government special district. Young people studying or working elsewhere will no longer have to endure the rigors of long journeys when returning home for the Lunar New Year and other holidays.

The Chiayi County Government has also assessed locations suitable for setting up electric vehicle energy replenishment facilities and welcomes operators with open arms to set up stations. Those already completed include the Tesla car charging station at Budai Cultural and Creative Hotel and the Gogoro electric scooter battery exchange station at the Puzi Quanlian store. By the end of this year, Gogoro electric scooter battery exchange stations are expected to be set up successively at the low-carbon transport transfer center, the county government, Dongshi Fisherman's Wharf, the Budai transfer station, National Chung Cheng University, and the Fumao Puzi, Taibao, Nan Ya and Shuishang gas stations. The low-carbon transport transfer center will also set up a Tesla car charging station. In the future, it will continue to seek to set up more charging or battery exchange stations to provide the public with a diverse and widespread electric vehicle use environment.

In addition, the Chiayi County Government has also guided local operators to upgrade their services and provide low-carbon vehicle rental services. Electric two-wheelers or bicycles can be rented at locations including Budai Cultural and Creative Hotel, Dongshi 50/50 Life Studio, Chuanzaitou Tianshangju Homestay, Huashe Business Hotel and Shanhai Grand Hotel. In the future, at coastal attractions such as the High-Heel Wedding Church or the Dongshi Natural Ecological Exhibition Hall, there will also be opportunities to rent low-carbon vehicles for an in-depth experience of the beauty of Chiayi. Through the expansion and establishment of low-carbon vehicle service points, shops or tourist attractions along the coast of Chiayi County will have more opportunities to connect with one another for mutual benefit and share tourism resources.