TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Representatives of the bus company involved in the death of a university student formally apologized on Friday (Sept. 27).
On Sunday (Sept. 22), a Geya Bus Transport Route 305 bus struck and killed a female Tunghai University student surnamed Lin (林). The company held a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday where company representatives bowed to apologize to the victim’s family and the public. It also explained details of the accident and presented four measures to improve safety, per CNA.
The Route 305 bus was traveling in Taichung when it hit two female Tunghai University students who were walking on a zebra crossing near the Miyahara Ice Cream intersection. The accident resulted in one death and one injury.
Company Spokesperson Han Hung-kai(韓洪開) said that at 9:13 p.m. on Sunday, the bus had stopped at a red light on Luchuan East Street. When the light turned green, the 65-year-old bus driver surnamed Shih (施) started to turn left onto Zhongshan Road at a speed of around 15 kph.
The driver failed to follow the policy of stopping and yielding at intersections and did not stop to check before proceeding. This led to the driver failing to notice pedestrians crossing in front of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with the students.
Geya Bus Transport representatives acknowledged the firm had not adequately enforced traffic safety protocols and management practices. They announced the company will recall all drivers for a thorough review, pledge to strengthen their commitment to safety, take full responsibility for the incident, and offer their deepest apologies.
The company announced four improvement measures:
- Traffic police requested to intensify traffic safety education. In the future, regular and intensive sessions will be conducted to deepen drivers' awareness of safety and regulations.
2. Increase vehicle monitoring at intersections and bus stops, and conduct random inspections. Violations will be immediately corrected and addressed.
3. Strengthen training on the use of driving safety assistance systems and provide real-time analysis of driving behavior. Drivers with potentially dangerous habits will be subject to focused supervision.
4. Drivers who break traffic safety rules will face disciplinary actions. Those with serious violations or who show no improvement will be deemed unfit for the position.
Geya Bus Transport said both the company and the driver will take full legal and social responsibility for the incident and hope to provide better quality service to the public in the future.
