The operation of the 9026 intercity bus route between Keelung and Taipei recently changed hands, and the terminus was also changed from Nangang Bus Station to Nangang Exhibition Center. Keelung City Mayor George Hsieh of the KMT and Legislator Tsai Shih-ying of the DPP met on Dec. 29 to discuss the effects on the commuting rights and interests of Keelung residents. This was their first meeting since Hsieh beat Tsai to win the mayoral race.
Keelung City Mayor George Hsieh of the KMT and Legislator Tsai Shih-ying of the DPP shook hands while meeting on Dec. 29. This was their first meeting since Hsieh defeated Tsai in the Keelung City mayoral race in November. The reason for the meeting was because the operation of the 9026 intercity bus route between Keelung and Taipei recently changed hands, and the terminus was also changed from Nangang Bus Station to Nangang Exhibition Center. The two discussed the effects on the commuting rights and interests of Keelung residents to find a solution. The city government is aiming for two Taiwan Railway direct services from Keelung to Nangang during the morning rush hour, and hopes Tsai can bring this issue up at the legislature.
George Hsieh, Mayor, Keelung City: “The ideal solution that we and the Department of Transportation came up with regarding the services hasn't been finalized, and I believe they will be of great assistance to Keelung commuters who transfer in the greater Taipei area.”
Lin Ming-chih, Director, Legislator Tsai Shih-ying's Service Center: “It's all still under discussion, but there is a common understanding. Everyone will work hard together to coordinate future construction.”
The meeting lasted less than half an hour, and Tsai returned to the legislature afterwards. Hsieh said he'll go to the legislature next week to call on the KMT and TPP caucuses to ask for support. Hsieh and Tsai repeatedly sued each other during the mayoral election, and there are currently over 10 lawsuits pending. In a show of good faith, Hsieh asked his lawyer to withdraw the lawsuits.
George Hsieh, Mayor, Keelung City: “I think residents won't be happy if their mayor and their legislator are over there suing and countersuing each other. I personally feel this cooperation may be what residents want to see instead.”
The 1813 bus route will be terminated on Dec. 30 after a dozen or so years of operating between Keelung and Taipei. A DPP city councilor asked Hsieh on Dec. 29 to find solutions to minimize the inconvenience once the route stops operating.
兩人親切握手展現誠意，原本激烈競爭的綠委蔡適應，和當選的國民黨籍基隆市長謝國樑，在市長選舉後首度見面。由於9026線更換營運業者，終點站也從南港轉運站變成為南港展覽館，影響到基隆市民的通勤權益，兩人因此共商解套方法。市府希望推動爭取早上尖峰時段，從基隆到南港的2班台鐵直達車，希望蔡適應能夠在立院給予協助。
基隆市長謝國樑說道：「我們跟交通處所規畫，理想上，想爭取的班車不是已經定案的，相信對於大台北地區轉乘的基隆通勤族，我覺得一定會有蠻具體的一個幫助。」
蔡適應立委服務處主任林明智指出：「都還在談，有很多共識，在末來地方建設的配合，大家會一起來努力。」
雙方會談不到半小時，蔡適應就趕回立院。謝國樑強調，下週也會前到立院拜會國民黨團及民眾黨團，爭取支持。由於先前市長選舉期間，謝國樑和蔡適應頻頻互告，雙方合計有10多件訴訟案，為了展現誠意，謝國樑已通知律師撤銷對蔡適應的訴訟。
基隆市長謝國樑表示：「我也覺得市民朋友，可能不喜歡他們的市長跟立委也在那邊告來告去的，所以我個人是比較覺得這樣子，可能比較符合基隆民眾想要看到的，一個大家在合作的一個方式。」
由於行駛於基隆中山區人口密集社區的1813大慶大城支線，服務當地台北通勤族10多年後，30日將停駛，民進黨市議員施偉政29日也替通勤族請命，希望謝國樑也幫忙解決停駛後的不便。
