Mon, Jan 15, 2007 page2

• Sogo's traffic promises remain unfulfilled

  • By Mo Yan-chih / STAFF REPORTER
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  The chaotic traffic attracted by the new Fuxing branch of Pacific Sogo Department Store located at the MRT Zhongxiao-Fuxing Station is drawing complaints from residents, with the Taipei City Government threatening to fine the store if it fails to share the responsibility for improving the flow of traffic.

  The 11-story Fuxing branch opened last month despite the controversy surrounding the acquisition of its business license from the city government only two days before the grand opening.

  The city government's efforts to improve the flow of traffic by setting up bus stops in front of the store have only compounded complaints from residents and city councilors who say it has only made the situation worse.

  

  Buses stop outside the new Sogo department store yesterday. The opening of the new store has led to traffic flow problems in the area, and the Taipei City Government is threatening to fine the store if it fails to fulfill commitments under its business license.

  PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES

  "The city government set up the stops before the store was open, but the stops were too close to each other and they hamper the flow of traffic," Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei City Councilor Li Keng Kuei-fang (厲耿桂芳) said, accusing the Taipei City Transportation Department of granting the store privileges by setting up bus stops for it.

  Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) yesterday demanded that the department remove the stops from their location at the front of the store and put them elsewhere. He also demanded that traffic police be employed during weekends to maintain traffic circulation by the store. Hau also urged the store to fulfill its promise not to negatively affect the flow of traffic.

  "It's a responsibility the city and the store share. The city government is responsible for easing the traffic, but the store should also carry out its promises. It can't stand by with folded arms," Hau said yesterday after inspecting the traffic situation around the store.

  According to a contract signed by the store with the Urban Design Review committee when applying for its business license, the store promised to give 407 out of its 616 parking spots to community residents as compensation for permitting the store to open, allow taxis and trucks to stop on its basement level and provide transit buses for customers.

  None of the promises have been carried out.

  "We will definitely fine the store if it fails to improve the situation immediately and continue to negatively affect the traffic," Hau said, adding that the city government would inspect the traffic situation again shortly.

  Luo Shih-ching (羅仕清), vice president of the store's financial department, promised to follow the city government's instructions and help to improve the situation, but refused to give a schedule for the improvements.

  Deputy Commissioner of the Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit System Mao Song-he (毛淞鶴) said the department will connect the store with the MRT station by early next month, when it will open three direct entrances.

  The Fuxing branch occupies 8,700m2, more than 140 percent of the area of the Zhongxiao outlet.
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