Taiwan township receives million-dollar minibus, but funding limits service to mornings

Yongjing Township in Changhua County has received its second “Happy Bus” sooner than officials expected, but the surprise donation has left the local government short of operating funds for the rest of this year.

The eight-seat minibus, valued at more than NT$1 million, came from 81-year-old resident Gao Mengjuan. The vehicle will use a reservation system and provide door-to-door transport, mainly for residents who need medical care or face special transportation difficulties.

Until the end of the year, the bus will operate only in the mornings because the township did not budget enough to run it throughout the day. Officials plan to expand the free service to full-day operations next year. Residents must generally book one week in advance.

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Happiness came too quickly.

Yongjing’s first Happy Bus began operating in 2024 with support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation. It runs a fixed route between Yongjing railway station and Zhuzaijiao, and the free service has proved popular.

Gao previously donated NT$100,000 to help disadvantaged residents. This year, she donated another NT$300,000 along with the minibus. Township chief Wei Shuo-wei said the community had repeatedly received generous support, including a planned donation of plaza land valued at more than NT$40 million for a health center and long-term care building.

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Yongjing has always had benefactors to help it.