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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Culture & Society

Taiwan Railways to Establish New Operations Department to Oversee Facilities

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Taiwan Railways Administration Chairman Douglas Hsu plans to establish a new "Operations Department" to manage train and station services.
  • The department will oversee crucial areas like restroom cleanliness, elevator maintenance, and station cooling systems.
  • Hsu also addressed employee welfare, negotiating for improved night shift allowances and advocating for the cultivation of junior management.

Taiwan Railways Administration Chairman Douglas Hsu is spearheading internal reforms, aiming to enhance the passenger experience by establishing a new "Operations Department." This initiative will centralize the management of train and station services, addressing long-standing public complaints about cleanliness and functionality.

I am going to reorganize it and put it back together to manage station operations and facility management, including facilities within the station and management on the train.

— Douglas HsuHsu explained the purpose of re-establishing the Operations Department.

The new department will take charge of a wide range of responsibilities, including the upkeep of restrooms, which have frequently drawn criticism for being unclean and malodorous. It will also manage station elevators and escalators, ensuring they are in proper working order. Even the station's ice water chillers, essential for climate control, will fall under the purview of this new operational unit.

Hsu emphasized that train conductors will play a key role in overseeing the cleanliness and maintenance of onboard facilities, particularly restrooms. He stressed that restroom cleanliness will be a primary focus for future management efforts. The department will also manage station signage and other critical infrastructure.

Cleanliness is very important, and restroom cleanliness will be a key management item in the future.

— Douglas HsuHsu highlighted the importance of restroom cleanliness.

Beyond facility management, Hsu is committed to improving employee morale and working conditions. He has been in discussions with the railway union regarding welfare measures. While acknowledging the financial constraints of Taiwan Railways, which faces significant losses, Hsu has worked to increase the night shift allowance, bringing it closer to the rates offered by high-speed rail operators. He also highlighted the importance of nurturing junior management for the company's long-term sustainability.

Taiwan Railways needs to be sustainable, and that requires cultivating junior management to develop leadership.

— Douglas HsuHsu discussed the importance of developing future leaders within the company.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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