Passenger attacks bus driver over fare in Taipei; bystander intervenes

A violent altercation erupted on a Taipei bus when a passenger, identified as a 39-year-old man surnamed Ke, refused to pay his fare and proceeded to assault the driver. The incident occurred on Taipei Bus route 264 as it traveled towards Banqiao.

According to reports, Ke boarded the bus near Luzhou MRT station and refused to swipe his card for payment. When the 51-year-old driver, surnamed Yang, reminded him at the "Minzu Minyi Station" stop, Ke adopted a defiant attitude, stating he would pay only when he got off the bus. As the vehicle approached the intersection of Minzu and Fuxing Roads in Luzhou District, Ke demanded to exit the bus illegally, which the driver refused. Yang then stated he would drive to the police station to handle the matter.

This announcement triggered Ke's emotional breakdown. He rushed towards the driver's seat, physically overpowering Yang and repeatedly punching him in the head and face. The driver, forced to brake suddenly while the bus was in motion, desperately honked the horn to signal for help.

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I will pay when I get off the bus

Nearby, an employee at an internet cafe heard the unusual alarm and saw the driver being attacked. She immediately alerted the cafe's owner, a 41-year-old man surnamed Zhang. Zhang rushed out of his establishment, shouting at Ke to stop. Witnessing the continued assault, he boarded the bus, pulled Ke away, and subdued him. Zhang then calmly instructed the doors to be closed while awaiting the police.

Driver Yang was taken to SanChong Municipal Hospital for treatment. He suffered head injuries and bruises on his limbs but is reportedly not in life-threatening condition. Ke admitted to the assault when questioned by the police. He was subsequently transferred for prosecution on charges including assault, coercion, and endangering public safety.

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I will drive to the police station to handle the matter.