TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Railway Corporation will strengthen security at major stations and aboard trains next month.
Following a reported sexual assault involving a fugitive at Taipei Main Station, the transportation ministry said Wednesday the TRC will bolster security measures, per CNA. These include more patrols, additional security personnel, and dedicated officers beginning in November.
On Oct. 9, the Railway Police Bureau responded to a report of a woman allegedly assaulted by a man in the station’s main hall. The suspect, identified as a wanted criminal, was arrested and transferred to the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office, which indicted him for the assault on Tuesday.
The Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee held a special session on Wednesday to discuss safety measures at railway stations. In response, the transportation ministry outlined enhanced security, including specialized security officers.
Additional measures will include more frequent patrols in high-risk areas, a joint security network between railway police, security, and station staff, and a care team to guide passengers who exhibit abnormal behavior. This network aims to ensure patrols every 30 minutes.
The TRC reported the establishment of a "railway police-security-station" three-layer reporting and inspection system at Taipei Main Station, which will be expanded to other key stations nationwide.
The TRC has also faced multiple incidents of employees being attacked by passengers. In a recent case at Taichung’s Wuquan Station, a passenger pushed a station staff member onto the tracks after refusing to show a ticket, injuring the employee.
To improve employee safety, the TRC proposed increased police presence on trains, a cross-jurisdictional security mechanism, and enhanced conductor training. Weekly cross-jurisdictional security shifts have been increased from 439 to 687 hours, with patrol coverage expanded from 453 to 700 train services per week.
The TRC has updated coordination protocols with local police and established "station-police liaison groups" to improve real-time reporting.
In addition, the TRC has integrated past incident reports and case handling into annual training for conductors. This training, in cooperation with the railway police, covers crisis management, self-defense techniques, the explanation of laws and enforcement authority.
