Department of Transportation

According to the Taipei Public Transportation Office, results of the 2nd Taipei City Bus Service Evaluation in 2013 had been released. A total of 2 bus companies were rated with excellence which were the Capital Bus and Taipei Bus. The remaining 10 bus companies were rated as grade-A. The Tamshui Bus and New Taipei City Bus were only eligible for the evaluation but not subject to rating due to only few buses operated. The Kuang-Hua Bus and CitiAir Bus, which were previously rated as grade-B, had made an improvement this time, grade-A. The improvement mainly came from the percentage of low-floor buses out of total operated buses, cases against traffic regulations, and accident rate that accounted for 30% as compared with the corresponding results in previous year.
The evaluation consisted of four major sections, “Station facility and service”, “Transportation facility and safety”, “Passenger service quality and driver management”, and “Company operation and management”. Under these sections, there were 25 indexes for the evaluation. A commendation ceremony was going to be held on March 28, 2014 to award the companies rated with excellence, the Capital Bus and Taipei Bus.
The Taipei Public Transportation Office further stressed that some bus companies had introduced in some innovative measures for bettering bus service quality. One example was the “LED panel screen installed on the rear of bus, indicating breaking, taking the right or left turn for reminding vehicles in the rear. This could reduce car accidents. Another example was the bells installed inside the bus for warning against thieves and sexual assault offenders. The bells were for emergency purpose. By pressing the bells, a passenger could inform the driver any emergency events, and also warn a potential criminal and prevent the occurrence of crime. For better “bus ride convenience”, card scanners were installed on the bus closed to both front and rear doors. This was done to buses going on busy bus routes so passengers could get on and off from the front and rear doors. Some bus companies installed LED panel screen on two sides of the bus, displaying information about bus routes and bus stops. Some other bus companies provided more “considerate service”, the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and the drivers were CPR and AED trained. Upon emergency cases, immediate emergency care could be provided on the bus. Some buses provided umbrellas on bus, and charging appliances for electrical wheel chairs to lend. Commented by the Taipei Public Transportation Office, the Office was pleased to know that bus companies took the initiative to find out the needs of passengers, and provide more convenient and comfortable, and safer bus services. The Office encouraged all bus companies to keep on providing quality services.

2014-03-28