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Ministry, railway promise trains will run on holiday

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) yesterday promised that public transportation would be available for citizens during the Mid-Autumn Festival, despite the Taiwan Railway Labor Union's plans to disrupt service.

Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) director-general Huang Te-chih (黃德治) promised that trains would run as scheduled, and the ministry vowed that other means of travel would also be available to accommodate an increased number of travelers.

The TRA, however, plans to cancel 20 commuter trains scheduled to run tomorrow, the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The TRA said these trains have been cancelled because few passengers have taken the them on previous holidays.

In addition, eight trains will be added to today's schedule. According to the TRA, a total of 693 trains will run tomorrow.

Despite the TRA's promises, union chairman Chang Wen-cheng (張文正) estimated that, due to the union members' conference scheduled for the festival, 95 percent of TRA train operators would not show up for work. Chang said TRA officials were being overly optimistic.

James Chen (陳晉源), director-general of the Department of Railways and Highways, assured the public that even if trains do not run, freeway buses are available.

"Even though we can accommodate up to 340,000 passengers on freeway buses, usually only around 130,000 passengers ride them," Chen said.

"Judging from sales of train tickets, around 150,000 passengers will be in need of transportation should trains stop running completely on Sept. 11. That totals around 280,000 passengers. We can accommodate that," he said.

Chen also said buses could be rented if necessary.

While refraining from explaining specific contingency plans, MOTC Administrative Vice Minister Yu Fang-lai (游方來) promised that the government will fulfill its responsibility to society.

When asked who would be responsible if railway service is disrupted, Yu said, "Of course it is the government's responsibility."

The TRA and the union have both assured customers that trains scheduled to depart today and arrive tomorrow will continue to operate until they reach their final destination.

The union added that trains will operate as usual beginning at 12 am Friday.

Chang also apologized to citizens yesterday, asking that they have patience. Ministry officials have stated that they regret that consumers must face the consequences of the ordeal.

Meanwhile, the ministry reported that Highway Bureau officials will work to control the flow of traffic onto highways beginning today and will waive tolls from 12am to 6am tomorrow.

The ministry encourages travelers to get information on the traffic situation before leaving.

It also asked that people driving to and from the Taichung area use freeway route three, allowing people traveling north or south to use the Sun-Yat Sen Freeway. People traveling short distances should use local routes instead of the freeway.

Airlines are also increasing the number of flights during the festival.

According to the ministry, flights scheduled for tomorrow through Monday have been increased from 2,926 to 3,160.

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