By RK Shih / Staff
KAOHSIUNG — A packed weekend of major events across Kaohsiung pushed public transportation usage to levels approaching those typically seen during large-scale concerts, according to the Kaohsiung City Government Transportation Bureau.
The bureau said multiple high-profile activities over the weekend combined to generate heavy cross-city movement. These included the OPEN! Balloon Parade at Dream Mall, the 2025 Food and Drink Festival, featuring food designed to be paired with alcoholic beverages, and the opening of the 2025 Pier-2 Anime and Doujinshi Creative Expo at the Pier-2 Art Center.
Transportation data showed that light rail ridership reached approximately 79,000 passenger trips on Saturday, while Kaohsiung MRT usage climbed to around 334,000 trips. Officials said the figures indicate that choosing rail transit on major event days has increasingly become routine for residents.
As city events grow more active, officials said making smart transportation choices is essential. Leaving private vehicles at home and relying on MRT and light rail services, they added, helps ensure that Kaohsiung weekends remain lively without becoming congested. The Transportation Bureau also reminded the public not to drive after drinking and urged the use of public transit or designated drivers.
Photo courtesy of the Kaohsiung City Government Transportation Bureau
