Minister of Transportation and Communications Kuo Yao-chi (
Independent Legislator Chen Chin-ting (
"MOTC officials must have failed math in school," Chen said. "They would rather choose the expensive models and ignore the cheap ones."
People First Party (PFP) Legislator Lee Hung-chun (李鴻鈞) criticized the ministry, saying it had insisted on launching the ETC system despite the low adoption of OBUs.
Anomalies
PFP Legislator Liu Wen-hsiung (
In response, Kuo said she would take full responsibility.
"The government is prepared to recall the [ETC system,]" Kuo said.
The ministry last week set a deadline of today for Far Eastern, the company contracted to set up the system, to increase the installation of OBUs to 100,000, or it would cancel one of the lanes set aside for the ETC.
Yesterday, Kuo said the ministry would not immediately cancel one of the lanes if Far Eastern failed to reach the target.
"It will take about seven to 10 days to inform motorists regarding changes in traffic signs and dividing lines between lanes," she said.
By yesterday, the number of OBUs installed had reached approximately 85,000 units. The goal of having 100,000 OBUs installed remains the same, Kuo said. However, she added that alternative arrangements would be made if Far Eastern was nearing the target.
Meanwhile, the legislature's transportation committee yesterday agreed to set up a special committee to investigate the bidding process for the ETC system.
Hostess bars
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Wei Ming-ku (
Wei said that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmaker Cho Po-yuan (
The transcripts Wei referred to included phone numbers and dates, and the contents of conversations among Far Eastern representative Tsai Ching-hung (
The contents also included references to other major government projects, such as one with Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp.
Wang refused to comment on the allegations, saying the incident was in the middle of a legal proceeding and that legislators should refrain from speaking about it.
Wei added that Vice President Annette Lu (
Lu yesterday dismissed the allegations.
The US House of Representatives yesterday passed the PROTECT Taiwan Act, which stipulates that Washington would exclude China from participating in major global financial organizations if its actions directly threaten Taiwan’s security. The bill, proposed by Republican US Representative Frank Lucas, passed with 395 votes in favor and two against. It stipulates that if China’s actions pose any threat to Taiwan’s security, economic or social systems, the US would, “to the maximum extent practicable,” exclude China from international financial institutions, including the G20, the Bank for International Settlements and the Financial Stability Board. The bill makes it clear that China
Taiwan’s Li Yu-hsiang performs in the men’s singles figure skating short program at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday. Li finished 24th with a score of 72.41 to advance to Saturday’s free skate portion of the event. He is the first Taiwanese to qualify for the free skate of men’s singles figure skating at the Olympics since David Liu in 1992.
Garbage and recycling schedules are to vary from Saturday through Sunday next week over the Lunar New Year holiday period. The following collection information is from the governments of the six special municipalities. Taipei Regular service: Sunday to Monday next week. No service: Tuesday to Thursday next week. Extra service: Friday next week. Regular service resumes: Saturday next week. New Taipei City Extra service: Sunday. Adjusted collection time: Monday next week — garbage collection is to begin in the morning and end at 6pm. No service: Tuesday to Thursday next week. Regular service resumes: Friday next week. Note: Garbage can be dropped off at 70
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