Chinese-language signage on public transport nationwide is to be revised to better reflect inclusivity, following the passage of legislative amendments.
The changes, introduced late last month, would replace the term “courtesy seats” (博愛座) with “priority seats” (優先席). Additionally, signage specifying that seats are for “the disabled, elderly, women and children” would instead read “for those in genuine need.”
The amendments were approved in the third reading of revisions to Article 53-3 of the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act (身心障礙者權益保障法), which governs access-friendly public transportation services.
Photo: Lin Chih-yi, Taipei Times
The article currently states that public transportation facilities without reserved seating “shall set aside courtesy seats for the disabled, elderly, women and children at a rate of no less than 15 percent of total seats available.”
Besides changing the Mandarin term, the amendments stipulate that priority seats can now also be used by “others with genuine need,” while the 15 percent ratio remained the same.
However, disability support groups said that simply renaming the seats is not enough, adding that public education is key to solving the issue of disputes on public transport.
Various badges could be introduced, they said, similar to the pregnancy badges issued to expectant mothers by the Taipei City Government.
Not all disabilities and special needs are visible, League for Persons with Disabilities secretary-general Hung Hsin-ping (洪心平) said, adding that, for example, young people undergoing chemotherapy or dialysis might need to use priority seating.
The amendments also introduce supplementary provisions requiring the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to standardize signage for priority seating across all public transportation systems, including buses, trains and mass rapid transit systems.
In addition, the ministries are tasked with launching public awareness campaigns and encouraging transport operators to promote understanding and empathy through onboard announcements and staff reminders.
The concept of “courtesy seats” is said to have originated from a United Daily News article published on April 2, 1976. The practice was first implemented by Taipei bus operators on 2,699 city buses to mark the first anniversary of former president Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) death, to commemorate his “benevolent spirit.”
The seats were later codified into law in 2013 under the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act, which required 20 percent of seats on public transport to be designated as “courtesy” seats. That ratio was later reduced to 15 percent.
Additional reporting from CNA
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