TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Four counties in northern Taiwan are resorting to monthly subsidies of up to NT$10,000 (US$308) to overcome a bus driver shortage.
Miaoli County is the latest to offer the subsidy, according to a Friday (April 12) press release. Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin (鍾東錦) said fewer bus drivers have led to a reduction in bus routes and compromised the public's access to public transportation.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, bus service was cut back leading many drivers to seek employment elsewhere, with many not returning to the profession after the pandemic. Municipal officials say a shortage of bus drivers impacts the poor and vulnerable, who rely upon buses as a vital lifeline for going to work, hospitals, and shopping.
Private bus operator Hsinchu Bus, which services Hsinchu, Taoyuan, and Miaoli, said the lack of drivers and financial losses will lead it to abandon many urban and rural bus routes once its current contract expires. With fewer bus operations, municipalities have resorted to a monthly subsidy plan for bus drivers (Miaoli NT$10,000 per month, Taoyuan NT$10,000, and Hsinchu NT$5,000).
Miaoli County Government said the subsidy program is available to all bus drivers operating urban passenger routes from January to December 2024. Should the subsidy program fail to retain drivers, Miaoli County will consider operating shuttle buses in rural parts of the county.
