TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR, 台灣高鐵公司), the island's bullet train operator, has unveiled an emergency support measure for staff members impacted by Typhoon Danas, which recently battered Taiwan's central and southern regions with destructive force. Company officials announced Tuesday (July 15) that eligible employees may request up to two days of special paid disaster leave to address storm damage. The compassionate policy enables workers to focus on essential cleanup efforts and critical repairs to their damaged residences without sacrificing income.
The transportation company has established clear eligibility criteria, extending the leave benefit to staff whose homes or official household registrations fall within six severely affected counties and municipalities spanning Taiwan's western and southern regions: Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung. Employees must submit their applications by Friday to qualify for the special consideration. Corporate representatives acknowledged that meteorological forecasts failed to accurately predict Danas' eventual trajectory. The storm system caused extraordinary destruction when it made landfall in Chiayi County, creating an urgent rehabilitation imperative for numerous communities.
Beyond immediate employee assistance, THSR leadership underscored their ongoing dedication to strengthening infrastructure resilience and emergency management protocols throughout their operations. The rail operator has integrated climate change considerations and extreme weather contingencies into its long-term strategic planning framework, aiming to maintain passenger trust through demonstrated preparedness. This forward-looking stance represents part of a wider institutional adaptation to the growing prevalence and intensity of climate-related disruptions affecting Taiwan's transportation networks. ◼
