The CF issued the call at a press conference held yesterday morning. “This is the first time for our foundation to comment on the high-speed rail system, but it is also our ultimatum to the THSRC,” Chen Jen-hong, chairman of the foundation, told reporters.

Chen called for the final examination of the safety risks of the high-speed rail system, originally slated for Tuesday, to be postponed until all the possible problems are addressed.

“If the THSRC moves to kick off the official operations in defiance of the safety of passengers, then our foundation will not rule out urging consumers not to use the high-speed rail system,” Chen stressed.

At the conference, the CF raised four major doubts about the safety of the system. First, the THRSC has repeatedly vowed to kick off the operation of the high-speed rail system on schedule regardless of the safety of passengers. “Does this indicate that the company regards passengers as guinea pigs?”

Second, the Lloyd’s Register Rail of the United Kingdom has pointed out 28 shortcomings in the high-speed rail system. “Does the THSRC fix the shortcomings?”

Lloyd’s Register Rail, a member of the Lloyd’s Register Group, provides a complete range of services to help manage the safety, functional and business performance of new and existing rail systems and projects.

Third, the high-speed rail system has suffered derailment accidents two times within one month. “Does the THSRC find out the real reasons for the unimaginable accidents?”

Fourth, there is a serious ground sinking problem on the section between Miaoli County of northern Taiwan and Yunlin of southern Taiwan. “Does the THSRC improve the problem? Will the problem worsen after the official operation of the system?”

In addition, the CF also issued three calls for the THRSC. One is for the firm to place passenger safety as its top priority, instead of centering on political considerations.

Second is for the final examination commission to assess the safety of the high-speed rail system based on professionalism, instead of bowing to political pressure.

Third is for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) to categorically reject unreasonable requests by the THSRC, so as to better take care of the interests of passengers.