At the Cabinet's meeting today, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) reported on plans for ensuring safe and smooth transportation as millions around the country travel for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday season. Premier Jiang Yi-huah instructed the MOTC to continue guiding its subordinate departments in strengthening traffic safety, preparing contingency plans, increasing traffic capacity, and communicating with the public.
In railway traffic, Jiang said the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) has put the newly purchased Puyuma Express tilting trains into service on the eastern rail line. The TRA also strengthened anti-hacking measures on its website so that tickets to east coast destinations will not be as difficult to purchase. He directed the MOTC and TRA to monitor railway traffic load and increase the number of services as required.
As for freeway transportation, Jiang also asked the MOTC to see it that the Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection Co. continues improving the newly implemented eTag system. The company must ensure that the system operates correctly and stably and that customer service is satisfactory. Since freeway transportation is a central component of the government's holiday transportation control plan, the premier directed MOTC Minister Yeh Kuang-shih to personally oversee this portion and be on hand to deal with any problems that may arise.
To encourage the public to plan ahead, Jiang asked the MOTC to publicize these traffic control measures through the news media, radio stations, the Internet, cable television and promotional pamphlets.