Kaohsiung to offer free public transport with home purchase

Taiwan Today: "Kaohsiung is set to become the first municipality in Taiwan to offer residents free public transport for up to 25 years if they purchase property in approved developments.

The initiative, which is being undertaken by Kaohsiung City Government, Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp. and selected real estate developers, aims to spur housing sales in areas near KRTC lines and bolster the southern port city’s low carbon credentials.

Hwang Wang-hsiang, deputy minister of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, said March 19 that the program combines the best elements of urban planning and public transportation planning to deliver sustainable development."

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Climate disruption is real, costs real money

Photograph: Apichart Weerawong/AP

Thailand flooding costs Lloyd's of London $2.2bn | Business | guardian.co.uk: "Lloyd's of London has estimated that it is liable for $2.22bn (£1.4bn) of net claims from the flooding that devastated Thailand last year."

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New Year Gridlock: 7 hours to drive from Kaohsiung to Taipei

Gov't agencies warn traffic jams to peak during CNY on Jan. 25 - The China Post: "The Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau is warning to expect traffic jams during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. Bureau officials expect traffic to be at its highest on Jan. 25, the 3rd day of the lunar year, with up to 3 million vehicles on the road. The bureau made the warning yesterday, saying that in order to avoid being caught up in a traffic jam, commuters should not take national freeways on Jan. 25, while noting that it might take up to 7 hours to drive from Kaohsiung to Taipei."

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American #transit riders envious of Taipei MRT

Transit notes from Taipei | The Source: "I now work at Metro and live in downtown Los Angeles — and still find myself nostalgic at times for certain aspects of Taipei’s MRT."

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It is time to end the stupid auto culture

TOKYO — An outing of luxury sportscar enthusiasts in Japan ended in an expensive freeway pileup — smashing a stunning eight Ferraris, a Lamborghini and two Mercedes likely worth more than $1 million together.

Photo and story at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/8-ferraris-lamborghini-smashed-in-pricey-japan-freeway-pileup/2011/12/05/gIQAhNQ1UO_story.html?

Oil Emirate pushing #transit with free rides

gulfnews : Public transport users to enjoy free rides Tuesday: "Dubai: Leave your cars behind for a day and use public transport free of cost as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) celebrates Public Transport Day on November 1.
"On November 1, give your car a break. Ride all public transport — the Metro, public buses and water buses — absolutely free using your Nol card," said the RTA official. A similar message was also sent out to all Nol card users by the RTA as transport is free only for Nol card-holders.
By celebrating Public Transport Day, the RTA aims to activate a synchronised public transport network, in addition to encouraging the use of public transport and increasing the number of users by informing them about its distinct features, said a senior official."

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Stop using cars, or it is the end of humans

Tokyo has unveiled a loan programme to aid flood-hit firms (AFP/File, Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)

AFP: Japan to support firms hit by Thai floods: "TOKYO — Japan Tuesday announced provisions to help its companies hit by Thailand's worst flooding in decades, as supply disruptions force firms to shutter plants and production is hit at home."

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