There is some back-slapping going on over at Taipei City Hall following the introduction of the "e-bus" system. The changes offer real-time data and updates on bus schedules and arrival times, as well as access to the information via cellphone and the Internet.
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (
But it also appears that Hau doesn't make use of the city's bus network very often -- if at all. If he did, he might feel a little embarrassed that such high-tech baubles are being given priority over the fundamentals: passenger safety and comfort.
However pretty the flashing signs erected at bus stops and whatever number of megabytes of data can be downloaded, the reality is that the quality of greater Taipei's bus services has, overall, stalled or deteriorated -- with some bus companies noticeably worse than others.
When President Chen Shui-bian (
Over eight years in office, Hau's predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou (
Today, regular users know that taking a bus involves any number of irritants: rude drivers, fatigued drivers (many work 12-hour shifts, which is illegal in other countries), drivers who skip stops, reckless drivers (note the number of drivers who grip a bar to their right with one hand as they steer), drivers who continuously brake and accelerate to maintain speed and drivers who ignore the fact that passengers have to hold on for dear life to avoid falling over.
As for road quality, some bus lanes are so pot-holed and bumpy that the minimal shocks on some buses cannot cope -- yet there is no sign that drivers care about these problems, nor that the government is even aware of them.
The buses themselves in some cases are cause for concern. It is not clear how well the vehicles are maintained, but it is very clear that poor road quality is taking its toll on some of them, while other -- brand new -- vehicles are manifestly unsuitable for passengers who cannot nimbly climb three, four or five steps before finding a seat.
But of the greatest concern is the number of drivers who seem oblivious to the needs of the elderly, the infirm and small children. All too often the bus user will watch as the elderly board a service and rush to the nearest seat or otherwise struggle to find their balance as the driver lurches off.
All of this is a matter for training and random inspections. The city government seems to attach little importance to either of these essential tasks.
Until such time that the city government can serve the practical, day-to-day interests of its voters, distraction by high-tech products and services that add little real value or convenience to public transportation will be the order of the day.
Mayor Hau should start taking less notice of staff in charge of procurement and spin and more notice of what ordinary people must endure. Mr Mayor, get on the bus.
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
As former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrapped up his visit to the People’s Republic of China, he received his share of attention. Certainly, the trip must be seen within the full context of Ma’s life, that is, his eight-year presidency, the Sunflower movement and his failed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, as well as his eight years as Taipei mayor with its posturing, accusations of money laundering, and ups and downs. Through all that, basic questions stand out: “What drives Ma? What is his end game?” Having observed and commented on Ma for decades, it is all ironically reminiscent of former US president Harry