'Current Incumbents Haven't Done Well': Shen Po-yang, Su Chiao-hui, Huang Shih-chieh, Lin Kuo-chang Sign Transportation Improvement Pledge

Four candidates from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) running for mayoral and county governor positions have jointly signed a "Transportation Improvement Commitment" with the Next Generation Human-Centered Transportation Promotion Association. The candidates, including Shen Po-yang for Taipei Mayor, Su Chiao-hui for New Taipei Mayor, Huang Shih-chieh for Taoyuan Mayor, and Lin Kuo-chang for Yilan County Governor, gathered to endorse the five-point pledge.

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The current incumbents have not done very well.

The commitment addresses key issues in transportation policy, moving beyond a focus on major construction projects to emphasize safety from the moment people leave their homes. Wang Chien-chien, chairman of the association, criticized the current administrations in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Yilan, stating they "have not done very well" in traffic management. The five policy demands include transforming marked-line pedestrian crossings into physical ones, establishing substantial school zones, setting clear timelines for road space improvements, enhancing public transportation in remote areas to achieve transportation equity, and promoting genuinely people-centered rail and public transport integration.

Shen Po-yang highlighted that Taipei experiences around 30,000 traffic casualties annually, far from the vision of safe commutes. He stressed the importance of proper visual markings on roads and ensuring the safety of "school roads" within 150 meters of schools, an area parents are deeply concerned about. Su Chiao-hui emphasized that tangible improvements like wider sidewalks and dedicated school paths significantly benefit residents. She prioritized child safety, vowing to accelerate improvements around schools and in remote areas where children often share roads with heavy industrial vehicles.

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Taipei has about 30,000 traffic casualties every year, which is very high, and still a long way from the vision of safe commuting, safe schooling, and safe return home.

Huang Shih-chieh, a father himself, expressed concerns about road safety for his child and pledged to work towards concrete goals outlined in the commitment. He noted the interconnectedness of the Taipei-New Taipei-Taoyuan-Yilan region and the need for cross-county cooperation in integrating public transport and improving pedestrian safety.

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From the experience of the past ten years, when central funds are secured and tangible improvements are made, such as widening sidewalks and adding school paths, the public really feels the difference.

Lin Kuo-chang recalled his past advocacy for traffic safety in Yilan, noting the county's issues with congestion and underdeveloped infrastructure. He called for central government support for projects like the high-speed rail extension to Yilan and railway elevation, and proposed establishing a public bicycle system to enhance green transportation options. The detailed five-point plan includes a comprehensive inventory of roads lacking sidewalks or having only marked-line crossings, with a phased transition plan prioritizing high-traffic areas and schools. It also calls for establishing school zones with specific regulations, redesigning roads with a focus on pedestrians, implementing 30 km/h speed limits in pedestrian-friendly zones, and improving public transport accessibility in rural areas.

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Many young families are choosing to settle in Taoyuan, and I also have children. Walking on the road with my child every day, I can't help but worry if it's safe enough.