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Taipei puts brakes on drivers leaving their engine running

The Taipei City Government yesterday announced it would require drivers of public service vehicles to turn off their engines when making stops for more than 30 minutes. The regulation, which takes effect on Monday, will precede a similar regulation for the general public.

The city government will thus comply with the Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) plan to fine motorists between NT$5,000 and NT$100,000 for keeping their engines running during stops of more than 30 minutes.

The measure is a bid to cut gasoline consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

The EPA plans to launch a campaign on July 1, with the policy taking effect on Jan. 1.

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) yesterday said that as the nation's capital, Taipei should set a good example. He demanded that drivers of public service cars in the city follow the regulation starting on Monday.

"This is a good policy and we need to promote it well before implementing it so that it will have a significant impact," Hau said yesterday at Taipei City Hall.

Stephen Shen (沈世宏), director of the city's Department of Environmental Protection, said the department would set up a hotline so the public can report any violations.

The EPA said motorists who fail to turn off their engines when making stops for an accumulated 30 minutes per day, spend an additional NT$18,000 on gasoline and produce more than 1 tonne of carbon dioxide per year.

Sheng said the department would abide by the EPA's proposal, but would exclude specific situations, such as traffic jams, and certain types of vehicles, such as fire engines.

The hotline is 02-2720-6301.
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