Taipei Rapid Transit Corp’s (TRTC) reluctance to provide surveillance tapes on recent accidents inside MRT stations drew criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City councilors yesterday, with some accusing the company of hiding the truth from the public.
Showing a surveillance tape acquired privately during a question-and-answer session at the Taipei City Council, DPP Taipei City councilors Chuang Ruei-hsiung (莊瑞雄) and Chang Mao-nan (張茂楠) said there were at least five accidents in MRT stations last month, but the TRTC refused a request from the council’s transportation committee to provide surveillance tapes.
BAR
In the surveillance tape, an accident occurred on July 1 at Zhong-xiao Xinsheng Station in which a male passenger was hit by an aluminum bar that fell from the ceiling while riding down an escalator. Staff at the station rushed to the escalator to retrieve the bar.
A similar accident occurred on July 4 at Zhongxiao Fuxing Station, in which a bar used to hang an advertisement banner fell to the ground. No passenger was hurt when the accident occurred, but the TRTC also refused to offer tapes.
“Did you see that the falling bar scared the man and other passengers? Are we supposed to wear helmets inside MRT stations for our safety?” Chuang asked when questioning TRTC general manager Tsai Huei-sheng (蔡輝昇). “It is the transportation committee’s right to request surveillance tapes for investigation, and apparently the TRTC is hiding the truth by refusing to provide them.”
PROTECTION
Tsai said it was company policy to not make surveillance tapes public to protect the privacy of passengers, but added that after the accidents the company inspected the ceilings and construction of all MRT stations to ensure their safety.
“It would be improper for us to provide the tapes because we are obligated to protect passengers’ privacy. Should we also publish tapes showing passengers committing suicide in MRT stations if we agree to provide the tapes councilors requested?” he asked.
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), who said he was surprised by the surveillance tape, said he respected the TRTC’s policy, but added that he would instruct the company to strengthen safety measures.
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