The new rules will safeguard the interests of the more than 10 million people in Taiwan who frequently use the e-cards that are issued by airlines, shipping firms, bus and railway companies, mass rapid transit (MRT) corporations, and even taxi firms and operators of cable car systems like the Maokong Gondola.

The MOTC will prohibit the non-refundable clause after expiry dates, invalidation of the cards if they are smudged or damaged, or when they are lost or stolen.

The contracts used by the companies that offer the e-cards will automatically be nullified when they violate the standard contracts set by the MOTC.

The ministry will require card-issuing companies deposit the money pre-paid by customers in special accounts in the form of trust funds at financial institutions to ensure their fulfilling of financial obligations to customers.

The money in the trust funds cannot be used by companies for other purposes. The money to be deposited will include the sum of value stored or recharged in the e-cards by customers.

Since many banks have issued bank cards that also function as credit cards and transport service e-cards, the upper limit of the sum to be stored in the card for transport means must not exceed NT$10,000, said MOTC officials.

If companies intend to charge service fees or deposits related to their e-cards, the amounts should not exceed the limits set by the MOTC.

The companies are also required to display all such relevant information conspicuously at their service areas, stations, and on their corporate Web sites.

Officials said the new regulations were drawn up in accordance with the nation's Consumers Protection Law.

The MOTC plans to implement the new rules by the end of this month if the plan and draft regulations are approved by the Executive Yuan (Cabinet).

The electronic EasyCards used by commuters in the Greater Taipei area boast the largest number, more than 10 million, of activated e-cards in Taiwan.

EasyCards are issued by Taipei Smart Card Corp. (TSCC) for Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC) and bus companies for cardholders to easily use the public transport services, including buses and the MRT system.

Cardholders can also use the cards to pay parking fees or for other purposes such as riding the Maokong Gondola.

Similar transport service e-cards have been in use in other metropolises such as Taichung and Kaohsiung.

The popular e-cards issued by private enterprises include the ETC cards issued by Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection Co. (FETC) for customers using the fast-track electronic toll collection (ETC) system on the country's freeway networks.