TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Nearly 100 protesters from the New Taipei City Touring-bus Craft Union for the Drivers (新北市遊覽車駕駛員職業工會) and the Taiwan Tourism Bus Carrier Development Association (台灣遊覽車發展協會) gathered outside the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) on Monday (Aug. 26) to voice their concerns over new regulations. The MOTC plans to mandate the installation of driver identification devices in tour buses starting June 1 next year.
Protesters demanded the regulation be canceled unless the government fully subsidized the costs. Hsu Ching-hsiang (許景翔), chairman of the New Taipei City Touring-bus Craft Union for the Drivers, highlighted that installing a card reader costs between NT$5,000 and NT$5,500, with monthly management fees ranging from NT$650 to NT$850. Following their chants, some union representatives moved to the Presidential Office to submit a petition.
Acting Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Yen-po (陳彥伯) explained that the decision to install GPS systems in tour buses stems from past accidents, believing that GPS would significantly enhance driving safety. Chen assured that the Highway Bureau (公路局) would discuss and negotiate the protesters' demands, including subsidies for card readers.
The MOTC's response and future negotiations will determine the next steps in addressing the protesters' concerns and ensuring the safety and affordability of the new regulations.
