IRIS TRAVEL OWNER APOLOGIZES TO COACH CRASH VICTIMS' FAMILIES|"蝶戀花"老闆父子道歉 撇清"友力"責任

On Feb.17, Iris Travel Service Co. owner Chou Pi-Tsang apologized to families of the coach crash victims during a press conference. Chou said that the coach was owned by his company, and the deceased driver was hired by him. Both have nothing to do with Yu Li Express. When Chou was questioned why the driver overworked, Chou said that the driver died for money to pay his debts, which angered many. Making a deep bow, Iris Travel Service Co. owner Chou Pi-Tsang apologized to the coach crash victims' family members at a press conference held on Feb.17. Chou said his company owned the coach and employed the deceased driver, and they had nothing to do with Yu Li Express. Chou said that he will take full responsibility for the accident, and expressed his apology by citing a poem from a Chinese poet, Su Shi, which angered many. ==CHOU PI-TSANG Iris Travel Service Co. owner== The moon does wax, the moon does wane, and so men meet and say goodbye. There has been nothing perfect since the olden days. So let us wish that man will live long as he can. Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty that the moon displays. I am very sorry to see this happening. Chou said that the deceased driver was not overworked, and had a good rest before driving. However, the driver's duty roster showed that he worked for two consecutive weeks from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9. Chou said that the driver did not take a day off because he wanted to earn more money. The company offered double wages to those who worked over the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays. Chou also said that he lent NT$150,000 to the driver to pay his mortgage. ==CHOU PI-TSANG owner of Iris Travel Service Co.== I paid double wages to employees who worked on Jan. 28 to Feb. 1. People die for money, and birds die for food. I can prove that I lent him NT$150,000. Now he has passed way, he cannot pay me back. Many questioned Chou why he did not take up the matter as soon as the accident happened. Chou said that he is a realist. He would not give any responses before he was sure how to solve the problem. ==CHOU PI-TSANG, owner of Iris Travel Service Co.== I always make my plans before taking action. This is how I deal with things. It does not mean that I want to flee from my responsibilities, I cannot anyway. The wife of the deceased tour guide expressed her anger to Chou. She said that the travel agency did not notify her of the accident immediately. She was informed of the news by Facebook. She also said that the company did not pay for her husband's labor and health insurance since he started working there around four years ago. Her husband worked from early morning to late at night for the company, and was only paid NT$800 a day. Facing numerous accusations, Chou did not give any further explanations. He only emphasized that he was willing to use financial means to settle the incident. TRANSLATED BY：ARIEL HSIEH 國道遊覽車翻覆意外，蝶戀花旅行社實際負責人周比蒼，今天召開記者會鞠躬道歉，並強調司機、車輛皆為他所有，與友力通運無關，但對外界質疑司機過勞、沒有勞健保，周比蒼脫口說出「人為財死鳥為食亡」，還引用"水調歌頭"的辭句，引發家屬不滿。 深深一鞠躬，表示致上最深歉意，蝶戀花負責人周繼弘與父親周比蒼，上午親上火線澄清事實，周比蒼表示司機、車輛皆為他所有，與友力通運無關，對於這起事件一定會負責到底，還引用蘇軾水調歌頭的詞句表達歉意，讓在場家屬相當氣憤。 ==蝶戀花旅行社實際負責人 周比蒼== 月有陰晴圓缺 人有悲歡離合 此事古難全 但願人長久 千里共嬋娟 我很不好意思發生這種事 針對司機連續上班過勞問題，周比蒼說，在事故發生前司機有充分休息，但亮出來的排班表，卻是從過年1月27日到2月9日，連上14天沒休假，周比蒼表示這跟事故沒有關聯，還強調過年都是給雙薪，是司機為了薪水不請假，甚至說人為財死鳥為食亡，還好心借了康姓司機15萬元還房貸。 ==蝶戀花旅行社實際負責人 周比蒼== 我大年初一到大年初五都是雙薪 人為財死 鳥為食亡 這15萬我這邊都有證據 人都死了 債就爛了 外界也質疑周比蒼事發這麼久了到今天才出面，周比蒼則表示，自己一個實事求是的人，因眾怒難犯，他出來如果無法解決事情，這個罵、那個也罵，於事無補。 ==蝶戀花旅行社實際負責人 周比蒼== 我一定先要謀定而後動的 我處理事情就是這樣處理 不是說我要逃 你逃得掉嗎 而罹難領隊的太太也在現場直接對周比蒼嗆聲，說老公出事旅行社第一時間沒通知，反而是透過臉書才知道，而且工作3、4年也沒有勞健保，一整天早出晚歸，只賺800元。對此周比蒼並沒有多做說明，但他強調，將散盡家財來處理後續。 吳雅瑜 林國煌 台北報導