Kaohsiung: Redefining Urban Mobility

Kaohsiung is undertaking a bold initiative to redefine mobility as a service for all citizens by advancing ecomobility solutions such as walking, cycling, public transport, shared mobility, and ecologistics, while ensuring their seamless interconnectivity. At the heart of this transformation is the MenGo Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform, which unifies payment and access across light rail, buses, ferries, metro (MRT), and the YouBike 2.0 system. By simplifying travel and making sustainable modes more attractive than private cars, MenGo has become a flagship instrument for decarbonization, convenience, and social equity in Kaohsiung.

This initiative aims to shift travel from private vehicles to public transport, thereby reducing carbon emissions, improving service quality, and maximizing the efficiency of the transport network, while ensuring that rural and peripheral areas are fully connected and included.

Beyond technology, Kaohsiung has committed to an inclusive, people-first mobility transformation. This includes extensive accessibility upgrades (wheelchair ramps, low-floor buses, adapted taxis), progressive electrification of the bus fleet by 2030, and integration of rural and underserved areas into the public transport system. The initiative is not just about reducing emissions, but about creating equal access to opportunities, safer streets, and improved quality of life.

The initiative is built on a comprehensive and phased implementation strategy that combines infrastructure, technology, and equity:

• Mobility-as-a-Service (MenGo):
  • One-stop digital platform integrating MRT, bus, ferry, light rail, and bikes.
  • Mobile payment system reduces barriers for commuters and tourists alike.
  • Incentives encourage modal shift away from private cars.
• Public Transport Electrification:
  • Gradual replacement of diesel buses with electric fleet.
  • Full electrification target by 2030.
  • Investments in charging infrastructure across the city.
• Accessibility for All:
  • Low-floor buses and wheelchair ramps standard in new fleets.
  • Accessible taxis and upgraded pedestrian facilities for elderly, pregnant, and disabled residents.
  • Integration of universal design principles into transit-oriented development.
• Equity for Rural and Peripheral Areas:
  • Data collection on travel needs in rural districts.
  • New bus routes and connections to ensure inclusion and “sense of belonging”.
  • Emphasis on fair pricing and equitable service coverage.
• Regulation and Urban Design:
  • Gradual restrictions on private vehicles and prioritization of people in urban design.
  • Expansion of cycling lanes, walking paths, and shared mobility hubs.
  • Development of ecologistics strategies to reduce freight emissions from the port.
• Continuous Engagement and Monitoring:
  • Public consultations with women, elderly, and vulnerable groups.
  • Surveys and satisfaction tracking to adjust services.
  • Integration of feedback into ongoing policy cycles.

Kaohsiung’s transition is enabled by collaboration:

• Local government (Transportation Bureau) leading strategy.
• National support for EV transition and funding.
• ICLEI and global networks for peer learning and knowledge sharing.
• Private operators of buses, ferries, and bike-sharing integrated under MaaS.

The city emphasizes awareness, behavior change, and inclusiveness:

• Public campaigns highlighting benefits of ecomobility.
• User-friendly design of MenGo app and services.
• Community consultations to include elderly, women, and rural residents.
• Visibility in international forums (e.g., ICLEI World Congress 2024).

Investment in Kaohsiung’s mobility shift combines city, national, and international resources:

• Estimated €300M+ investment in MaaS, infrastructure upgrades, and e-bus transition (2019–2030).
• Funding from municipal budgets and national transport electrification programs.
• EU/UTMC cooperation for knowledge-sharing and capacity building.
• Exploration of green bonds and climate financing instruments.

Kaohsiung’s just mobility transition is already showing results:

• Increased uptake of public transport through MenGo integration.
• Higher accessibility for vulnerable groups (elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities).
• Reduced transport-related inequality between urban and rural areas.
• Advancing toward SDG targets and Paris Agreement commitments.

The transition faces important obstacles:

• High upfront investment costs for electrification.
• Resistance from car owners used to private mobility.
• Need for continuous maintenance and digital literacy (elderly users).
• Ensuring service coverage in less profitable rural areas.

Kaohsiung demonstrates how an industrial port city can reinvent itself around just and sustainable mobility.

• Replicability factors: MaaS integration, inclusive design (universal accessibility), strong political leadership, alignment with climate targets.
• Lessons learned: prioritize people over vehicles, secure financing for electrification, and integrate rural areas to prevent inequalities.
• Conclusion: By embedding justice and accessibility into its decarbonization agenda, Kaohsiung offers a robust model for cities worldwide to balance technology-driven solutions with people-centered outcomes.

• Kaohsiung City Government – Transportation Bureau
• UTMC – Urban Transitions Mission Centre

Inquiries can be directed through iclei-kaohsiung@iclei.org for any case-related questions.