Better buses for Taipei
As a Taipei resident, buses are my second-most convenient form of public transportation after the MRT. With several lines and frequent services, buses are a crucial part of Taipei’s road network. Therefore, it is vital to ensure road safety for buses.
The government has been looking to find ways to increase the number of bus drivers, but its measures seem poorly thought out. It seems that even a 23-year-old with very little experience can be a driver.
Having a standard car license for two years does not represent sufficient driving skills or experience. The training and testing for obtaining a bus license are unrealistic and outdated.
Taiwan’s transportation authorities should learn from the practices of other countries. In regards to the road test, South Korea utilizes virtual reality, focusing on handling intersections and pedestrian safety, as part of its train driver education. Taiwan could apply the same strategies and include more comprehensive road tests.
The government should take care of drivers’ physical and mental health. In Australia, bus drivers must comply with legal work and rest hours. They record their hours in electronic logbooks to avoid fatigue-related accidents.
Just as fines for not yielding to pedestrians has had a positive impact on my daily life, I hope the government imposes similar penalties on bus companies that do not follow the regulations.
Road safety is a shared responsibility between drivers, pedestrians and the government. Taiwan could make its roads safer for everyone by implementing better training, keeping an eye on the health of its drivers and imposing harsher fines.
Chen Sheng-ya
New Taipei City
Gender in boxing
After I read an article about boxer Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) (“World Boxing says Lin was eligible to compete,” Nov. 29, page 3), I felt very angry and sad about the situation.
Before the Paris Olympic Games, Lin had been the subject of a gender eligibility row due to an abnormality of gender biochemical detection last year.
Although this caused doubts and humiliation from the public, she still practiced hard and won Olympic gold for herself and Taiwan. As a girl like her, I felt angry about these people.
Boxing is a sport that differs greatly by gender, but this does not mean we can make arbitrary comments or irresponsible remarks about her. No matter what gender you are, everyone deserves respect.
I really like Lin. I want to tell her: Ignore what others say and just be yourself.
Claire Yeh
Taipei
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