Puyuma Express Train Suffers Malfunction on Dec. 3 台鐵又出包 普悠瑪406班次突失去動力

A Puyuma Express train ground to a stop on Dec 3, that's two days after a steel pile fell and hit a Taroko Express train in Hualien. A series of accidents have prompted lawmakers to demand the resignation of the TRA's director.

Taiwan Railways' new 24-hour emergency hotline, 1933, is up and running. According to Taiwan Railways Administration Director Tu Wei, this is a step in the right direction for safety reform. Taiwan Railways has had a slate of safety issues in recent days, and lawmakers are calling for Tu's resignation.

Tu Wei, Director, Taiwan Railways Administration: “If I am responsible for the bureau's issues, I don't think I would try to shirk my responsibilities.”

Following the construction accident at Fulong that resulted in a steel pile falling and hitting a Taroko Express train, the head of the local public works department and a section chief were removed. The Railway Bureau, meanwhile, was found responsible for the rail car separation incident that took place on the same day. The Taiwan Railway Labor Union is very upset no one was held responsible.

Chen Shih-chieh, Chair, Taiwan Railway Labor Union:＂This is the Railway Bureau's fault. Why isn't the transportation and communications minister upset about it? This is discrimination, and it is a huge blow to the morale of Taiwan Railways workers.＂

In a statement, the bureau admitted it subcontracted the construction work out but said the cause of the separation is still being investigated and it won't shirk its responsibilities. Two days after the two accidents, a Puyuma Express train suffered a malfunction.
 

Puyuma Express Passenger: “Everyone is waiting. We don't know when the train will get going again.”

Taiwan Railways says the stoppage was caused by a malfunctioning ground sensor that has been fixed, and an investigation is pending.

 

台鐵緊急通報電話1933正式上線，強調24小時由專人接聽，民眾如發現危急鐵路運行可直撥1933直通行控台。台鐵局長杜微說，這是台鐵安全改革一環。但這兩天台鐵卻不斷出包，有交通委員會立委點名他應下台負責。

台鐵局局長杜微表示:「如果事涉這個我們台鐵局的一個責任，我想我不會推卸。」

台鐵大小事故接連發生，台鐵福隆石城邊坡工程意外，鋼軌樁砸中太魯閣號，交通部長王國材立即撤換工務處長和段長，不過當天晚間再發生復興號車廂脫節分離，查出竟是鐵道局惹禍卻無人負責，引發台鐵企業工會不滿。

台鐵企業工會理事長陳世杰認為:「這個脫節事情是鐵道局造成的，為什麼交通部長沒有震怒，這是差別待遇。」他又說，「這會造成我們台鐵局工務人員施工上士氣一些低落。」

台鐵事故不斷，引發基層不滿，鐵道局發聲明，坦承該工程由鐵道局代辦，不過列車脫節原因仍待運安會調查，相關責任決不推託。台鐵工安事故原因還沒查明，3日上午九點多又發生台鐵普悠瑪406次故障，無法行駛。

406次普悠瑪乘客表示:「大家都在等，不知道什麼時候可以發車。」

台鐵表示，初步調查疑似地上感應子故障，導致無法啟動，經過修復後已繼續運行到台東，切確故障原因仍要調查釐清。