‘Case Closed’ characters decorate ferry connecting Kaohsiung to Cijin

‘Case Closed’ characters decorate ferry connecting Kaohsiung to Cijin

2024-08-16

Known as Detective Conan in Taiwan, the manga and anime series “Case Closed” has found fans all over the world. Many of these fans might be heading to Kaohsiung, where they can take a Conan-themed ferry to and from Cijin Island. Also benefitting from the experience is Kaohsiung City Shipping, which hopes that this boating experience will increase ridership and shore up losses.

The side of the boat is decorated with the beloved Japanese anime character Conan. Other characters from the series are also lining up. During the opening ceremony, one rider with Conan-themed hand fans had a smile on his face as he took a picture with the ferry.

Boat passenger
The boat has a lot of characters in the Conan series. I’ve been watching the show since I was a child, so I’m really excited to be here.

This is the first time Kaohsiung City Shipping Company has partnered up with the famous anime series “Case Closed.” Nicknamed the ocean bus, the themed ferry’s maiden voyage was on Aug. 16, and its last trip won’t be until sometime in late April 2025. The round-trip ferry service from Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 to Cijin is available four days per week, and visitors can redeem gifts by getting stamps at different Cijin tourism locations. With summer vacation coming to an end, the company is hoping to increase ridership.

Member of public
We want to go on it. We were just talking about whether or not we can ride the ferry. We want to go on the Conan boat.

Lee Hu-chen
Kaohsiung City Shipping
If we take into consideration what it’s been like in years past, then this year we can probably increase ridership numbers to between 180,000 and 200,000.

In 2022, a Snoopy-themed ferry that took riders to Cijin was able to in just one year get over 200,000 riders, which was a 20% to 30% increase in ridership figures. Yet nothing has been able to fix years-long financial losses, and, as a result, during peak hours the number of boats in operation have been reduced from four to three, and wait times have been increased to being anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes, resulting in many unhappy Cijin locals.

Lee Hu-chen
Kaohsiung City Shipping
We’re also working with the city government. On top of meeting the transportation needs of Cijin locals, the company is also committed to finding ways to operate efficiently so that we’re turning a profit.

Facing the dilemma of needing to increase revenue while also improving ridership numbers, it seems like currently there’s no quick fix solution other than getting a bit of help from famous cartoon and anime characters.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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旗津渡輪棧旗線推"柯南"聯名海上巴士提升運量

2024-08-16

高雄旗津渡輪的棧旗線，今天推出全新的名偵探柯南聯名海上巴士，吸引柯南迷來搭船，輪船公司希望能藉由與知名動漫聯名，來提升運量，改善虧損的情況。

旗福二號船身上，有大家熟悉的日本動漫名偵探柯南，其他漫畫角色也統統到位，參加開幕儀式的民眾，拿著專屬的扇子，開心與渡輪合照。

[[搭船民眾]]
“它就是有很多柯南IP的角色，就從小看到大就覺得很興奮”

高雄市輪船公司，首度與日本人氣動漫名偵探柯南合作，推出聯名海上巴士，16日下午正式啟航，到明年四月底前，每週四天往來駁二棧貳庫到旗津。輪船公司加碼推出集章活動，結合旗津景點觀光，還能換小禮物，就希望用IP聯名來衝刺暑假的最後檔期。

[[民眾]]
“有，我們剛剛想說可不可以去搭。想搭柯南的船”

[[高雄市輪船公司總經理李虎辰]]
“應該如果按照往年的狀況，大概年度內應該可以增加，18到20萬人次流量”

旗津渡輪在2022年就曾推出史努比聯名渡輪，一年超過20萬人次搭乘，增加兩到三成運量，但卻解決不了長年虧損的問題，從上個月開始，旗鼓線上班尖峰航船，從四艘改為三艘，班距時間也拉長至10到15分一班，引發旗津居民抱怨。

[[高雄市輪船公司總經理李虎辰]]
“公司也是在配合市政府，除了造福旗津人交通的需要外，公司在營運上也在努力針對開源節流在檢討精進”

如何想辦法拓展財源，提升民眾搭乘意願，恐怕除了動漫聯名拉抬人氣之外，還需要再想想其他辦法。

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