Taipei Bus Collision Injures Nine: Investigation Points to Driver Negligence and Raises Broader Safety Concerns

In a serious reminder of urban transportation risks, a collision between two public buses on Zhongxiao East Road in Taipei City left nine people injured on Sunday. The incident involved two buses operating on the popular No. 262 route, both run by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). Although none of the injuries were life-threatening, the event has ignited fresh concerns about driver safety standards, traffic congestion, and public transportation management in one of Asia’s most densely populated cities.

What Happened: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

According to initial police reports and Taipei’s Public Transportation Office:

• At around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, the first No. 262 bus was stopped at a red light on Zhongxiao East Road, near a busy commercial area.
• The second No. 262 bus, traveling behind it, failed to brake properly and rear-ended the stationary bus.
• Eyewitnesses reported that the second bus was traveling faster than typical urban speeds for the area, suggesting the driver might have misjudged the stopping distance.
• Early findings point toward driver negligence, including insufficient distance between vehicles and inattentiveness to traffic conditions.

Injuries and Immediate Response

Among those injured:

• Seven passengers from the buses sustained injuries.
• The driver of the front bus was also injured.
• An additional bystander was slightly injured when debris was scattered during the collision.

All victims were conscious when emergency services arrived. Most injuries consisted of:

• Minor abrasions
• Bruising
• Soft tissue injuries

However, out of caution, all nine were transported to nearby hospitals for medical evaluations and observation.

Safety and Accountability: The Company’s Response

Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) issued a swift public apology and outlined their immediate actions:

• All medical expenses of the injured will be fully covered by MTC.
• Each injured person will also receive NT$3,000 (approximately US$90) as compensation for physical and emotional distress.
• NT$1,000 (approximately US$30) will be provided for transportation expenses upon hospital discharge.

The company emphasized that both drivers involved:

• Held valid commercial driving licenses.
• Tested negative for alcohol at the scene.

Despite this, MTC promised an internal review of driver training protocols, including mandatory re-training for all drivers on emergency braking and urban driving distances.

Broader Context: A Wake-Up Call for Taipei’s Public Transport System?

Although Taiwan’s public transport system is often praised for its efficiency, Sunday’s accident exposes growing underlying challenges:

• Urban road congestion: Zhongxiao East Road is heavily trafficked, especially on weekends.
• Driver Fatigue: Some bus drivers have complained about long working hours and tight schedules, increasing the risk of momentary lapses.
• Aging Fleet Concerns: While the buses in this collision were not particularly old, overall fleet maintenance across some routes has been flagged in recent audits.

Transportation analysts suggest that while this accident was relatively minor, it could be a warning sign. Cities like Taipei must consider:

• Investments in collision avoidance technology for buses (e.g., automatic braking systems).
• Better scheduling to avoid overworking drivers.
• Tighter regulations on following distance adherence.

Official Investigation Ongoing

The Taipei City Police Department confirmed that the cause is still under formal investigation. However, preliminary evidence suggests that driver error — specifically failure to maintain a safe stopping distance — is the leading factor.

In parallel, the Taipei City Public Transportation Office announced plans to:

• Conduct spot inspections on other MTC buses.
• Launch a citywide review of driver safety policies across all public and private bus companies.

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