Improving Taiwan's long-distance bus service

Regular bus service had remained a state-run monopoly run by the Kuo Kuang Bus Company until the 1990s when private bus operators were licensed and became competitors. Competition necessarily brought down prices, but that competition actually existed even before the monopoly was lifted.

Unlicensed operators had been vying (illegally, of course) for passengers by offering fares lower than Kuo Kuang's. Safety could not be guaranteed.

As it had become impossible to crack down on these illegal services, the government decided to give them licenses so that it could regulate their operations and monitor their safety. But it has become evident that safety remains an issue. The bus companies are not just competing with one another; they have to compete with train and airlines operators.

Competition from the Taiwan High Speed Railway Company (THSRC) in the long-distance transportation sector has been particularly strong. THSRC's pricing has almost killed the domestic flight business, and it is now also a major threat to other forms of public ground transport. But the High Speed Rail is faring no better than its competitors, having run into huge debts.

The market for the regular long-distance transportation sector simply cannot support so many players.

　　For the sightseeing tour bus sector, competition is also fierce. Many of the coaches have been modified for various reasons: to look more luxurious, to circumvent regulations or to cut costs. Modifications have often been done at the expense of safety.

Starting next month, the transport authorities will implement new regulations limiting the height of new buses to 3.5 meters and under, and requiring them to install seat belts on all passenger seats.

But the height of a bus may not be a problem if the structure of the vehicle is sound. Imported buses that have already passed safety standards in their countries of origin should still be safe even if they exceed the height limit. The transport authorities must instead implement stricter rules for modification. And they must also make it compulsory for passengers on all long-distance buses to wear seat belts.

Long-distance bus service deserves extra caution due not only to its popularity on the island, but also because of the damage it can do with its huge size. According to the bus driver in yesterday's fatal accident, a braking problem led to the crash that claimed four lives. It could have perhaps been prevented by either a more comprehensive inspection of tour buses, or in this accident by freeway police giving notice to drivers of hazardous conditions ahead.

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