Taipei: Taiwan's Freeway Bureau has announced a 30 percent discount on long-distance highway tolls on the weekends preceding the Tomb-Sweeping holiday, scheduled from April 3 to April 6. The initiative aims to alleviate traffic congestion during the holiday period.

According to Focus Taiwan, the discounted toll rate will be effective on the weekends of March 21-22 and March 28-29. During these weekends, the rate will be NT$0.63 (US$0.01) per kilometer, offering travelers substantial savings. For instance, a trip from Yuanshan in Taipei to Kaohsiung could save drivers approximately NT$130.

However, the bureau has also announced an increase in tolls for travel covering distances under 42 kilometers per day during these weekends. To avoid higher fees and potential congestion, the bureau advises motorists making shorter trips to consider using city roads or alternative routes.

The agency notes that past implementations of similar discounts have resulted in a 10 percent increase in traffic volume on weekends. Consequently, measures such as the closure of certain southbound entrances on National Freeway No. 5 will be in place on March 21 and 28. Additionally, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) controls will be enforced at northbound entrances on March 22 and 29.

Travelers seeking more information can visit the bureau's website or use the Highway 1968 app to plan their journeys. In a safety advisory, the bureau also urges the public to refrain from burning weeds or joss paper near highways during the Tomb-Sweeping holiday, as the resulting smoke could reduce visibility on the roads.