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Taipei mayor addresses bus driver shortage crisis
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an addresses a bus driver shortage following a collision, emphasizing safety. The city plans recruitment, training, and penalties for operators.4小時前 -
Taiwan’s first highway autonomous bus hits road for testing
Taiwan’s first highway autonomous bus conducted its inaugural licensing and passenger-carrying tests. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Highway Bureau commissioned Green Transit Co., Ltd to deploy the self-driving bus, which traveled 16 kilometers autonomously at a set speed of 40 kilometers per hour. The bus, accompanied by an engineering driver during the trial phase, cost NT$30 million to develop. The full route spans 44 kilometers, with over 70% being autonomous. The service is expected to provide free rides to the public starting in March next year, with seven stops and 7 to 8 daily services. The initiative aims to address the shortage of public transportation personnel and reduce traffic incidents. The Highway Bureau plans to enhance highway maintenance and public transport operations using smart technology.2023/11/26 14:06 -
Taiwan railways to introduce online leave system for drivers
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has announced that the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) will implement an online system for train drivers to apply for leave by the end of this year. This decision comes after reports of drivers sleeping on the office floor or "fighting for time off" due to the current in-person system for leave applications. Currently, the Taipei Rolling Stock Branch of the TRA uses an in-person queuing system for leave scheduling, which often leads to disputes during extended holidays. MOTC head Wang Kwo-tsai explained that the demand for drivers exceeds the available staff, making it impossible to accept all leave requests. Wang also mentioned that recruitment examinations for railway staff will take place after the corporatization of the TRA in 2024, with some specialized railway examinations already causing disruptions in June.2023/11/20 15:20 -
TRA warns of disruptions to services due to driver shortage
The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) has issued a reminder to passengers about disruptions to rail services on Nov. 6-7 due to a shortage of available train drivers. This shortage is a result of 297 drivers taking leave to sit for a TRA promotion exam. Despite efforts to schedule non-exam takers for coverage, there is still a shortage of 60 drivers. Passengers are advised to make necessary adjustments and stay vigilant regarding these schedule changes.2023/11/05 20:46