Commuters can now rent an umbrella at more than 100 MRT stations in Taipei. The shared umbrellas cost just NT$ 19 for the first hour, NT$ 29 for two hours, and NT$ 39 for the entire day, or about US$ 1.
The convenient service alleviates the stress of getting caught in a heavy downpour. However, passengers must also return the umbrella to any location in good condition within two weeks or face a late fee and NT$ 799 (US$ 25) charge.
While users are lucky to have this creative resource to meet their needs and stay dry, it is unfortunate that the free umbrellas the MRT once kept on hand throughout its system seem to have disappeared.