Train passengers who are deemed to be excessively noisy, particularly those using mobile devices, could be denied service if they do not heed warnings by staff that they are disturbing other passengers, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said on Friday.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) has instructed Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp (THSRC) and the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) to draft measures to reduce passenger noise, such as chatting too loudly on phones, or playing video or audio without using headphones, the ministry said in a statement.
Both train operators have been asked to promote mobile phone etiquette to improve the quality of their services, as train carriages are enclosed spaces, it said.
Photo: Chen Hsin-yu, Taipei Times
The passenger transportation contract used by the two train operators allows them to refuse service to passengers who behave in ways that disturb others, the ministry added.
All high-speed trains offer guidance on mobile phone etiquette through digital information systems in every carriage and stickers on seatbacks, THSRC president James Jeng (鄭光遠) said in the statement.
The company would also add signs to all trolleys to remind passengers to “remain quiet on trains,” and passengers should ask on-board staff to deal with noisy individuals, the statement said.
The TRA reminds passengers in Chinese and English to mute electronic devices and to speak quietly on the phone on its Web site, app and its onboard digital information system, TRA director-general Tu Wei (杜微) said in the statement.
TRA crew members would use signs when they walk through the train to improve awareness, while passengers can report any incidents by sending a text to 0921-765125 to notify the conductor about the situation, which they would handle, the statement said.
The National Immigration Agency (NIA) said yesterday that it will revoke the dependent-based residence permit of a Chinese social media influencer who reportedly “openly advocated for [China’s] unification through military force” with Taiwan. The Chinese national, identified by her surname Liu (劉), will have her residence permit revoked in accordance with Article 14 of the “Measures for the permission of family- based residence, long-term residence and settlement of people from the Mainland Area in the Taiwan Area,” the NIA said in a news release. The agency explained it received reports that Liu made “unifying Taiwan through military force” statements on her online
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck off Taitung County at 1:09pm today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The hypocenter was 53km northeast of Taitung County Hall at a depth of 12.5km, CWA data showed. The intensity of the quake, which gauges the actual effect of a seismic event, measured 4 in Taitung County and Hualien County on Taiwan's seven-tier intensity scale, the data showed. The quake had an intensity of 3 in Nantou County, Chiayi County, Yunlin County, Kaohsiung and Tainan, the data showed. There were no immediate reports of damage following the quake.
Tung Tzu-hsien (童子賢), a Taiwanese businessman and deputy convener of the nation’s National Climate Change Committee, said yesterday that “electrical power is national power” and nuclear energy is “very important to Taiwan.” Tung made the remarks, suggesting that his views do not align with the country’s current official policy of phasing out nuclear energy, at a forum organized by the Taiwan People’s Party titled “Challenges and Prospects of Taiwan’s AI Industry and Energy Policy.” “Taiwan is currently pursuing industries with high added- value and is developing vigorously, and this all requires electricity,” said the chairman
Actor Darren Wang (王大陸) is to begin his one-year alternative military service tomorrow amid ongoing legal issues, the Ministry of the Interior said yesterday. Wang, who last month was released on bail of NT$150,000 (US$4,561) as he faces charges of allegedly attempting to evade military service and forging documents, has been ordered to report to Taipei Railway Station at 9am tomorrow, the Alternative Military Service Training and Management Center said. The 33-year-old would join about 1,300 other conscripts in the 263rd cohort of general alternative service for training at the Chenggong Ling camp in Taichung, a center official told reporters. Wang would first
RSS