Life

Railway Act to cover delay compensation

• Publication Date：10/02/2009
• Source： United Daily News

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Railway Act Oct. 1 to cover the high-speed rail, train delays, vagrancy in rail stations and passenger misbehavior.

According to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Railway Act in its current form deals primarily with state-run railways, while the proposed revisions encompass privately-run railways, thus providing a legal basis to the MOTC’s Bureau of High Speed Rail and for the investigation of railway incidents.

The proposal also stipulates that the railway authority is responsible for delays and should set standards for compensation to be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications for implementation. When delays are due to force majeure, compensation will be limited to travelers’ extra expenses resulting from the delay. If passenger losses exceed compensation standards, they may sue the railway authority for further reparation according to the civil code.

At present, the Taiwan Railways Administration and Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. have separate regulations regarding delays. The TRA pays full fare for a one-hour delay. The THSRC reimburses half the ticket price for a 30-minute delay, and the full price for a one-hour delay. However, these rules are not included in any railway laws. Chang Ying-huei, deputy managing director of the TRA, pointed out that while it is unusual to include delay compensation in related laws, it offers better protection of consumer rights.

People bringing animals into rail stations or train cars in violation of railway authority regulations will be fined between NT$1,500 (US$46.50) and NT$7,500, according to the amendment. Those who spit, litter, post bills or set up vending stands or banquets in railway stations will be liable to fines of NT$1,500 to NT$7,500. Travelers throwing or shooting objects at trains in operation will face fines between NT$10,000 and NT$50,000.

Vagrants who loiter in station lobbies, waiting areas or platforms and cause inconvenience to passengers, or lie on train or platform seats, if unwilling to leave, will be fined from NT$1,500 to NT$7,500. (JY-THN)