Lai Takes Puyuma Train Ride to Restore Traveler Confidence|穩定旅客信心 賴揆一早搭普悠瑪到花蓮

Premier William Lai took the first Puyuma Express train on the 24th to visit Hualien, in the hope to restore traverlers' confidence in the wake of the fatal derailment. Lai urged the public to respect experts' opinions and findings and not to speculate the cause of the incident. He also announced that northbound trains will be asked to slow down to 40 kilometers per hour when taking turns to ensure safety.


Premier William Lai and Ministry of Transportation and Communications officials arrive in Hualien on the first Puyuma Express train of the day. Excited spectators immediately rush forward and surround Lai. They tell him the government needs to find the cause of the accident as soon as possible.

Of course I'm still taking the train. This is my hometown. I support Hualien.

In the wake of the fatal derailment, Taiwan Railways has been deluged with ticket refund requests from Hualien tourism companies. As a result, Lai decided he could restore traveler confidence by taking the Puyuma Express from Shulin to Hualien. Until the cause of the accident is determined, northbound trains are being asked to slow down to 40 kilometers per hour when taking turns.

This was a major incident. Apart from affecting the tourism industry, it affects the people of Hualien and Taitung even more. It also affects the confidence travelers to Hualien and Taitung have in the Puyuma Express.

We have to prevent trains from speeding when taking turns. Right now, (the speed limit) is 40 kilometers per hour. This is a safer way. (Our train from Shulin to Hualien) took two minutes longer than usual.

There is a lot of speculation about what caused the accident, but many people believe Taiwan Railways will write the accident off to driver error and pin all the blame on the driver. In response, the ministry says the investigation is ongoing.

Speeding while changing tracks and the ATP being off -- these are facts. We also (looked at) the train log, and the driver, he may have been extremely negligent. However, this, basically, we respect the prosecutors' investigation.