Transportation 結果共158筆

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in Taiwan have announced a new ＂Subsidiary Tourism＂ program aimed at boosting business travel. Foreign business travelers will be eligible for a subsidy of up to NT＄2,000 starting next year. The program has a budget of NT＄10 million and aims to support foreign business visitors to Taiwan. Stocks of related hotels have surged in response to this policy push, with analysts predicting positive growth for the tourism industry. The reduction in extended public holidays next year is expected to favor domestic tourism momentum and improve hotel occupancy rates. Overall, businesses and investors anticipate a robust year ahead for the hotel industry in Taiwan.

The Chiayi City Government has announced a subsidy program for pregnant women using taxi services, in an effort to create a more pregnancy-friendly environment and counteract the city’s declining birthrate. Starting from New Year’s Day, the subsidies for expectant mothers’ taxi rides will increase from NT＄2,800 to NT＄4,500, with a maximum subsidy per ride rising from NT＄100 to NT＄150. The program now includes travel for any medical visits, as long as the rides are with designated fleets to and from medical institutions. The validity of the transportation tickets has also been extended to include the first three months following the infant’s birth. The policy is targeted at Chiayi locals and former immigrant mothers whose spouses are registered residents of Chiayi. Additionally, Chiayi has introduced plans to provide emotional support, parenting guidance, legal counseling, and financial aid to pregnant women under 20.

The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) has announced the addition of extra trains from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1, 2024, in anticipation of the New Year’s holiday rush. Travelers can book the additional train services through various channels, including the TRA website, e訂通 app, convenience stores, and telephone reservation systems. A total of 18 extra train services will be deployed, with six additional services on the Eastern Line, including one northbound and one southbound train operating on the cross-island route. The South-Link Line will see an increase of four Puyuma Express and Tzu-Chiang trains, while six more EMU900 commuter express trains will be added to the Western Line. Additionally, 24 overnight train services will be added across different regions to cater to New Year’s Eve celebrations. Travelers can check timings and schedule details on the official TRA website and e訂通 app.

Taroko Tears, a group for family members of those who died in the 2021 Hualien train derailment, is expressing incredulity at the Taiwan Railways Administration’s (TRA) dismissive attitude towards safety reform discussions. The TRA has repeatedly altered or canceled meetings with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ external oversight committee, raising concerns. The TRA’s upcoming transformation into a corporation on New Year’s Day has sparked skepticism and worry among Taroko Tears. The group has sought a seat on the TRA’s board to monitor safety reforms but was rejected due to a lack of professional expertise. Taroko Tears questions the ability of TRA board members to lead substantial improvements. The external oversight committee has been pushing for joint discussions on safety reforms since September 2023, but the TRA’s handling of these meetings has been criticized as capricious and disrespectful. The TRA is currently in communication with the external oversight group but has yet to respond to their concerns. As the TRA’s transformation approaches, tensions between Taroko Tears and the railway administration are escalating.

The Transportation Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government has announced that left turns will be permitted at 10 intersections along the route of the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail. In order to maintain traffic flow and address concerns from drivers, the bureau has reviewed and assessed traffic regulations. To minimize the impact on through traffic, vehicles will be directed to stay to the right about 50 meters upstream from the intersections. Additionally, changes to signal timing and settings on main roads surrounding the light rail, including Dashun Road, Jiangong Road, Dafeng Road, and Dachang Road, will be implemented. These adjustments aim to respond to actual traffic flow and will be fine-tuned as needed.

The Taoyuan Union of Pilots (TUP) has taken their concerns to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), demanding increased oversight of EVA Air due to dissatisfaction over wages and annual bonuses despite rising revenues. The union has threatened to limit the airline’s rights if conditions are not improved by a specified deadline and plans to hold a strike vote on December 22. EVA Air has faced scrutiny for various issues, including understaffing that has led to several safety incidents. Pilots accuse the airline of excessive cost-cutting measures, such as hiring foreign pilots through illegal brokers, resulting in a workforce where foreign pilots outnumber national pilots. Over the past year, EVA Air has experienced a significant decline in national pilots, with approximately 10% of the total pilot workforce leaving. The union also claims that EVA Air’s response to the manpower shortage, including mandatory overtime and inadequate training, has resulted in frequent safety incidents. The union is calling for a comprehensive labor inspection and continuous penalties for workplace safety incidents. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has received a petition from the union and emphasizes the priority of flight safety and public well-being, urging EVA Air to engage in dialogue. The Ministry of Labor is also involved in labor-capital negotiations. The strike vote result, due on January 5, will determine whether a strike will be launched, contingent on EVA Air’s willingness to negotiate improvement measures sincerely.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) Tourism Bureau’s statistics reveal that Yunlin Beigang Chaotian Temple was the most-visited religious site in Taiwan from January to September 2023, with over 6.81 million visits. Yunlin Beigang Wude Temple followed closely behind with over 6.69 million visitors, securing the second spot. Nankunshen Daitian Temple claimed the third position with over 5.46 million visitors. Miaoli Baishatun Gongtian Temple ranked sixth, attracting over 3.2 million visits, while Taichung Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, known for worshiping the sea goddess Mazu, recorded approximately 1.17 million visits, placing it in the eighth position. Although some renowned temples are not included in the Tourism Bureau’s recreational site list, the Bureau relies on data provided by local governments to track visitor numbers and collaborates with them to monitor tourism activity at these religious and cultural landmarks.

The Taipei City Government is urging YouBike users to sign up for coverage to obtain additional protection, following a report stating that 812 YouBike accidents have occurred from last year to the end of November this year. Transportation Management Division Chief Chu Chen-tso indicated that most accidents involved riders cycling too fast or being unable to brake in time while going downhill, leading to falls and injuries. With injury insurance, compensation for fractures or serious accidents can reach up to NT$1 million, and hospitalization claims amount to NT$1,000 per day. However, minor scrapes and bruises are generally not covered. Since the initiation of a free public bicycle injury insurance policy in 2018, the insurance rate has risen from 49.4% to 63.5%. Despite this improvement, surveys reveal that 37% of individuals are unaware of public bicycle injury insurance, 30% believe they do not need the insurance, and 20% are reluctant to go through the insurance application process. Additionally, about 60% of users do not understand that each YouBike card requires separate insurance coverage. Taipei boasts 1,325 YouBike 2.0 stations and 15,047 bicycles.

The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) will add 81 train services from Jan. 12 to 15 next year to accommodate travelers returning home for the presidential and legislative elections. The additional train services will cover all types of trains and aim to strengthen transportation capacity during the election period. Starting Friday at midnight, presidential and legislative election train tickets will be available for booking online, at convenience stores, and via telephone reservation system. The TRA estimates a 5.2 percent average daily increase in capacity during this period, with the west line seeing a 2.4 percent rise, the east line 12.6 percent, and the south-link line 4.7%. This will result in approximately 39,000 extra seats each day compared to regular days. Compared to the election year of 2020, the overall number of seats will increase by 8.89 percent and total seat kilometers by 9.76 percent in 2024, according to the TRA.

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) is set to undergo corporatization on January 1, 2024, with the aim of improving punctuality and reducing delays. The agency believes that this transformation, along with the introduction of new trains next year, will enhance its competitiveness in the transport market. The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) has experienced increased passenger numbers recently, leading to capacity shortages and overcrowding in non-reserved seating. Concerns have been raised about the decline in THSR service quality, with some referring to it as ＂high-speed rail becoming like local trains.＂ Under the new Taiwan Railways Corporation, TRA plans to offer services on the eastern main line and support the western short-to-medium-haul network, creating a cooperative yet competitive relationship with THSR. TRA aims to enhance the passenger experience by updating ticket gates and passenger information systems across all railway stations in Taiwan over the next three years. To address the capacity issue, TRA plans to provide shuttle services at Changhua Station and improve inter-rail transfer services. The establishment of the TRA corporation aims to clarify its market positioning, including strengthening intercity transport service between the eastern and western main lines and improving regional commuting transport on the western line. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has established a debt repayment fund to address TRA’s short-term debt of around NT$170 billion, with the goal of making TRA debt-free by 2025 and profitable by 2028. Post-corporatization, TRA plans to increase revenue and optimize asset management through flexible approaches such as joint development initiatives and land rights establishment.

The Taoyuan Union of Pilots (TUP) has revealed that EVA Airways pilots have experienced a more than 10% decrease in real wages since 2011, resulting in a nearly 10% loss of the national pilot workforce. TUP accuses EVA of collaborating with illegal brokers to recruit foreign pilots, potentially jeopardizing flight safety. EVA pilots have unanimously passed a resolution to proceed with a strike vote, with details to be announced soon. Despite EVA’s record-high pre-tax profit, pilot wages have been frozen since 2011. Last year, pilot salaries were marginally adjusted, failing to keep up with the rising Consumer Price Index, resulting in a real wage decrease of 10% to 12%. The per diem for pilots, unchanged for 30 years, saw a minimal increase last year. Over a hundred national pilots, mostly experienced, have left EVA in the past year. The union criticizes EVA for cost-cutting measures that have led to staff resignations and safety incidents. They are urging the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to intervene and are planning a potential legal strike.

Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je opposes the removal of Chinese culture from Taiwanese society, expressing concern that future generations may not be able to differentiate between historical figures like Zhang Fei and Yue Fei. During a press conference on transportation policy, Ko emphasized the inappropriateness of completely separating contemporary society from Chinese culture. He specifically mentioned revered figures in religious beliefs, such as Mazu, Guan Gong, Baosheng Emperor, and The Third Prince, who primarily originate from China. Ko also responded to a statement by DPP former legislative speaker You Si-kun, defending the concept of a ＂sense of honor＂ with a history spanning over two millennia.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced on Friday (Dec. 8) the progression of Kaohsiung Airport’s new terminal. With the preliminary engineering’s essential design phase completed, the project is set to be tendered, according to CAA official Lin Hung-hsien. The new terminal at Kaohsiung Airport marks the largest construction project following Taoyuan International Airport’s third terminal. This infrastructure advancement reflects Taiwan’s push to modernize its aviation facilities and enhance passenger capacity.

The Taipei City Government Transportation Department plans to open additional parking lots and exits at Taipei Metro stations to ease congestion at the Taipei Dome, which is expecting a full-capacity crowd of 40,000 people in future games. The department aims to address the increasing audience numbers for the Asian Baseball Championship by unlocking exit 5 of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station on the Bannan Line, which connects directly to the underground passageways of Taipei Dome. Despite the availability of parking facilities, more than 90 percent of attendees prefer to take public transportation. The department encourages the public to continue using mass transit systems and envisions that the additional metro station exits will promote smoother traffic dispersion as seating capacity increases.

Get ready for the 2023 New Taipei City Christmasland, featuring a star-studded concert at the New Taipei City Civic Plaza on Dec. 9 and 10. To handle the expected crowds, the New Taipei City Government has implemented traffic controls around the venue, including increased enforcement of parking violations and towing actions. To avoid congestion, the public is encouraged to use public transportation, with the Transportation Department recommending residents from Hsin Chuang, Zhonghe, Yonghe, and Hsintien districts to take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Circular Line to Banqiao station. Visitors from other counties and cities can opt for the Taiwan Railway, Taiwan High Speed Rail, or Intercity Bus to reach the Banqiao Bus Station.

New Taipei City’s Department of Transportation is actively working to improve over 150 sections of yellow-line parking by February 2024, in response to a provisional ordinance by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) that acknowledged the scarcity of temporary parking spaces in metropolitan areas. The department has already completed over 60 conversions from red to yellow lines, prioritizing areas near MRT stations, hospitals, schools, taxi infraction hotspots, and areas with high temporary parking demands. These adjustments are carefully implemented to ensure a minimum lane width of 5 meters and avoid prohibited areas. Yellow-lined streets have a no-parking window from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., allowing only for quick drop-offs, pick-ups, or loading. The MOTC requires that every 100 to 150-meter stretch of red-line roadside have at least 10% allocated for temporary parking. Until these provisions are met, parking violators will face fines ranging from NT$300 to NT$600.

The Taipei Dome hosted the opening game of the Asian Baseball Championship, with a crowd of 16,647 fans witnessing the inaugural international event. Taipei Metro efficiently evacuated spectators within 25 minutes after the game. The ＂Taiwan vs. Korea＂ showdown resulted in a 4-0 victory for Taiwan, generating excitement from the stands. Taipei Metro increased train frequency to every 2.5 minutes at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station to accommodate the large audience. KMT Taipei City Councilor Wang Hsin-i praised the smooth evacuation process. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an inspected traffic conditions after the game. This successful event at the Taipei Dome and the efficient collaboration of transportation services set a positive precedent for future large-scale international sporting events in the city.

The Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee discussed the 2024 budget and addressed the poor cleanliness of Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) restrooms. Despite efforts to improve, the TRA’s restrooms were ranked poorly by the Ministry of Environment. TRA Director-General Tu Wei acknowledged the issue and mentioned that local government oversight had led to improvements in most of the restrooms. However, some facilities still require further enhancements. Legislator Lin Chun-hsien criticized the TRA for ineffective use of funds, particularly in outsourcing cleaning services. Lin proposed freezing a portion of the TRA’s budget until they present a written report on restroom improvement plans. The committee resolved to freeze 10% of the TRA’s budget to ensure accountability and push for better facility maintenance and service quality.

A deadly accident on National Freeway 3 in Miaoli occurred when falling electrical cables resulted in one fatality and five injuries. The Miaoli District Prosecutor Office summoned Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) and the contractor involved to determine the cause. The contractor, Chen, stated that construction was taking place on the hillsides surrounding the tower, where cables were being replaced. Shortly after construction began, one of the cables came loose, showing signs of being severed. The National Highway Police Bureau (HPB) determined that the incident was a work safety issue, not a typical traffic accident, and announced charges of endangering public safety would be pursued. The high-voltage cable fell onto both the southbound and northbound lanes, impacting multiple vehicles. Tsai, the wife of Chang, who was in the passenger seat of a van carrying a family of six, succumbed to her injuries. The other five occupants suffered various injuries. The Freeway Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) stated that Taipower and their contractor had not obtained approval for the unauthorized construction work, potentially violating the Highway Act. Taipower’s Distribution and Service Division Director, Shih Chi-liang, apologized for the accident and explained that the cable unexpectedly snapped during replacement work conducted by Double Safe, the company responsible for cable installations. Taipower has halted construction at the site to investigate the cause and prevent future accidents.

Taiwan faces a 4.5% increase in domestic flight ticket prices due to a surge in global oil prices, resulting in an average additional cost of NT＄95 per ticket. Kinmen residents, who frequently travel to and from Taiwan, are particularly affected, with Mandarin Airlines’ Taipei to Kinmen route experiencing a one-way fare increase of 7.4%, equivalent to NT＄182. This price rise will also impact tourists planning to fly domestically during the New Year’s holiday, making air travel more expensive. As a result, authorities expect a significant increase in road traffic during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. To alleviate transportation challenges during the festive season, Taiwan will implement toll-free periods on freeways from midnight to 5 a.m. The Taiwan Railways Administration and Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) will also increase service frequencies to accommodate the expected passenger volume. THSR has added 105 services and will continue to offer discounts for college students and early bird promotions. Taiwan Railways has scheduled 116 extra trains, anticipating a potential peak of over 800,000 passengers in a single day. However, ticket sales for child-friendly carriages have been temporarily suspended. Additional train services during the New Year transportation period will be available for purchase starting from midnight on December 1, aiming to alleviate travel congestion during the holidays.

Scores of heavy motorcycles surrounded the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) in Taipei on Sunday afternoon, demanding the immediate implementation of laws allowing large motorcycles access to highways. The protest, organized by groups such as the Republic of China Motorcycle Industry Promotion Association and the Taiwan Motorcycle Riders Association (TMRA), aimed to voice discontent with current traffic regulations. The bikers’ demands included immediate access to highways, permission to park in designated spaces, and the abolition of Article 99 of the Road Traffic Safety Rules. The movement’s initiators criticized the MOTC for stalling, pointing out that laws permitting heavy motorcycles on national highways were passed over a decade ago. TMRA secretary-general Liu Cheng-chien expressed frustration at the Highways Bureau’s lackluster response, highlighting the discrepancy between government policies and the desires of the biking community. Protest leaders claimed that 70% of the populace is unaware that the regulation allowing motorbikes on highways has already passed the third reading. They argued that the department’s polling does not reflect public opinion and questioned the legitimacy of basing policies on a single survey. Traffic advocacy groups have long emphasized the need for large motorcycles to have the freedom to choose between car or motorcycle parking spots. Despite recent responses from the Highway Bureau considering trials with some local governments, groups argue that central government intervention is necessary for a uniform solution to parking regulations.

Legislators at the Legislative Yuan are demanding that the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) clearly define ＂fresh milk＂ to differentiate between imported milk and domestically-produced fresh milk in order to protect local dairy farmers. This demand comes as the 10-year anniversary of the economic cooperation agreement known as ANZTEC between New Zealand and Taiwan approaches, which will bring about a zero-tariff policy by 2025. The MOA has committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to discuss the criteria for defining ’fresh milk.’ Proposals suggest establishing a clear distinction between domestic raw milk and imported liquid milk to ensure stability in contracts between dairy farmers and milk product manufacturers. It is argued that due to high-temperature sterilization and long-distance transportation, imported milk products should be categorized differently from fresh milk produced and stocked within Taiwan. The Acting Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih stated that the storage period and processing issues for ’fresh milk’ will be discussed in consultation with the MOHW, and milk labels will be revised to emphasize ＂Taiwan fresh milk＂ for market segmentation, preserving the label exclusively for domestically produced fresh milk. Currently, the national definition of ＂fresh milk＂ refers to raw cow’s milk processed with heating, sterilization, and refrigeration for consumption without specifying a shelf life.

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.

Cynthia Wu, the newly appointed vice presidential candidate for Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), brings a global perspective and financial expertise to the party’s election campaign. As the granddaughter of Shin Kong Group founder Wu Ho-su, Wu is known for her efficient time management skills. Growing up in a family with diplomatic ties, including her father’s role as ambassador-at-large, Wu has had substantial international exposure, even meeting former U.S. President Bill Clinton. With her family’s involvement in promoting the Taiwan Relations Act and her uncle’s relationship with former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Wu has a strong network. As a legislator, she worked closely with TPP leader Ko Wen-je on international diplomatic issues and proposed the inclusion of Taiwan in the ＂Santiago Principles＂ through the ＂Taiwan Sovereign Wealth Fund,＂ garnering interest from U.S. officials.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has forecasted that northeasterly winds carrying pollutants from Shanghai have intensified over the past 24 hours, leading to poor air quality in Taiwan between Friday and Sunday. The western half of Taiwan has been issued an orange code alert for air quality, with some areas potentially reaching red alert statuses. The CWA warns that air quality is unlikely to improve in the next two days, with the southern regions expected to experience an accumulation of pollution due to weaker winds. The Ministry of Environment advises the public, especially sensitive groups like the elderly and children, to minimize outdoor activities and reduce the use of public transportation to help lessen the emission of pollutants. Residents are urged to stay updated and take necessary precautions to protect their health.