Lu Criticizes Inconsistent Subsidy of Central Gov't 台中299月票未納台鐵 盧批中央補助標準

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen announced the city's plan to offer residents a NT$299 monthly public transport pass but it does not cover TRA trains. Lu urged the central government to treat all regions equally.

Taichung city government recently offered the NT$299 monthly public transport pass; even though it is more economically priced compared to Kaohsiung's NT$399 monthly pass, it does not cover TRA trains.

Mr. Liu, Citizen: “How come other places do but we don't? Of course, we feel that we are unfairly treated.”

Ms. Lee, Citizen: “Why is it that in the same place -Taiwan - there are so many different policies?”

The Taichung City monthly transportation pass includes the MRT, bus and public bicycles. The Kaohsiung City monthly pass, apart from the aforementioned three, also includes Taiwan Railway and the ferry. Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-yen criticized that when it was announced to them that local government subsidies would not include Taiwan Railway and highway bus carriers. She urged the central government to treat all regions equally and that she will voice her opinion at the Executive Yuan during the meeting this Thursday. Meanwhile, Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai said that everything was done according to the Ministry of Communications' subsidy plan essentials, namely, offering a monthly pass that meets local needs.

Lu Shiow-yen (Mar. 14, 2023), Taichung City Mayor: “I wish that the central government will provide equal subsidy plans and not preferential treatment on the south or north while skipping Taichung. We hope the central government can incorporate Taiwan Railway into our NT$299 monthly pass.”

Chen Chi-mai, Kaohsiung City Mayor: “We planned everything according to the subsidy essentials announced by the Ministry of Communications on March 9. We also respect the Taichung City government's direction, but we have our own methods in Kaohsiung.”

MOTC's Directorate General of Highways noted that all monthly pass plans were proposed by each local government based on local transportation habits and in consideration of the local government's financial capabilities. The central government did not restrict the incorporation of any means of transport.

Liang Kuo-kuo, Transport Team Leader, Directorate General of Highways: “The monthly passes within each city or inter-city can incorporate whatever means of transportation the local government may need. So there is no restriction stating that Taiwan Railway cannot be included, etc. We respect each local government's planning.”

The monthly transportation pass has triggered a war of words in the political arena. The Directorate General of Highways emphasized that before finalization, it will convene an expert meeting and provide recommendations to local governments. Some people have complained about the different passes in north, south, and central Taiwan, including different monthly pass prices and different means of transportation, and difficult to get a clear idea; hence they suggest adopting a uniform price nationally.

台中市府日前推出市區交通月票每月299元，相對於高雄市399元雖然較優惠，但卻沒有納入台鐵這項運具，民眾覺得不公平。

民眾劉先生表示：「別的地方有，我們這邊沒有，當然會變成差別待遇。」

民眾李小姐則說：「為什麼同一個台灣，為什麼有分這麼多的政策不一樣。」

台中市區交通月票包含捷運、公車與公共自行車，高雄市區交通月票除了這3項運具，還包括台鐵與渡輪。台中市長盧秀燕批評中央，當初公布市區補助方案不含台鐵、公路客運，如果交通部要重南北輕中部，週四行政院會就要北上反映。不過高雄市長陳其邁表示，一切都依照交通部的補助作業要點，提出符合地方需求的月票方案。

盧秀燕14日表示：「我希望中央要一致標準補助，不能只優待南部，優待北部，卻跳過台中，希望中央也把台鐵，納入我們299的補助方案裡面。」

高雄市長陳其邁指出：「根據交通部在3月9日所公布的相關的補助要點來規劃，我們也尊重台中市政府他們規劃的方向，但是我們高雄有屬於我們高雄自己的做法。」

交通部公路總局表示，所有月票方案都是地方政府依據當地交通習慣，並衡量地方財政自行提案，中央並沒有限制納入何種運具。

公路總局運輸組長梁郭國則回應：「都市內的月票，或者城際內的月票，都可以依照地方政府所需要的運具，都可以在規劃裡面，所以並沒有限制台鐵或怎麼樣不行，我們尊重地方政府規劃。」

交通月票引發政壇口水戰，公路總局強調定案前會召開專家會議，提供地方政府建議。也有民眾說北中南各吹各的調，月票金額與包含運具都不同，想搞清楚並不容易，建議全國統一。