Sat, Jun 03, 2000 page8

• Cleaning up buses takes more than a ban

  • By Lin Shu-hui
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  Tsao Shou-min (曹壽民), director of Taipei City's Transportation Bureau (交通局), recently announced a ban on eating and drinking on city buses would take effect in July. His declaration triggered a wide range of reactions from bus commuters. Although the ban was designed with the best intentions, it lacks a legal basis and the necessary measures to enforce it.

  The bureau, by rashly declaring the ban, failed to meet the motto of Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) team -- "exercise administrative power in accordance with the law."

  Many bus riders are in the habit of eating their breakfast during their morning commute. In an effort to change this habit, the bureau has run educational commercials on TV and in movie theaters. But efforts to "persuade" the public have failed because of the lack of regulations and fines. That is why the bureau proposed the ban.

  As far as the management of the bus companies are concerned, food and drinks brought on by passengers are the main sources of garbage and grime in the buses. A ban would get rid of potential trash, facilitate vehicle management and lower garbage disposal expenses.

  However, while there may be a link between passengers eating and drinking on buses and the spillage of food and drinks on bus seats and floors, the one does not necessarily lead to the other.

  Whoever is guilty of spilling food or drink is liable for punishment from the Bureau of Environmental Protection (環保局). On the other hand, there are no regulations at present that prohibit the consumption of food or drink on buses.

  Though eating and drinking on a bus might look disgraceful in the eyes of some people, it remains a personal right until the Legislative Yuan enacts a law banning the practice.

  Until that time, the government has no right to enforce such a ban.

  The next big question is who should be in charge of enforcing such a ban if it were to become law.

  The MRT's ban on food and drinks is enforced by the MRT own staff and police force. Many passengers are accustomed to eating and drinking while riding and bus drivers will not be in a position to enforce such ban or even report cases. Besides dirty looks and negative comments from other passengers, there has to be someone responsible.

  The question of who that will be still awaits a decision and regulations from the Transportation Bureau. Until then the garbage problem on buses can not be properly resolved.

  Lin Shu-hui is a reporter at the Taipei City desk of the Liberty Times.
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