By Jonathan Chin and Chen Yun-chun / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has operated at a loss every year since it opened in 1996, but could balance its books with an average fare hike of just NT$0.5 (US$0.02), a Taipei Rapid Transit Corp representative said. The Taipei MRT has failed to generate a profit, despite increasing passenger numbers, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp planning division director Wu Chun-yo (吳俊佑) said. The MRT last year branched out its business operations, including initiatives to rent office space at its stations, Wu said. “The Taipei MRT services also differ significantly from those in New Taipei City in terms of profitability, with most of the revenue-generating lines in Taipei passing through places where businesses sustain traffic,” he said. However, the Taipei City Government has no plans to hike ticket prices in the short term due to policy concerns, Wu said.

Source: Taipei Times May 15, 2017 16:11 UTC