With Six Months Left in Term, Lu Shiow-yen Announces Increased Subsidies for Seniors and Pregnant Women Starting October

With less than six months remaining in her term, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has announced significant increases to public welfare subsidies, including enhanced support for elderly citizens and expectant mothers.

Starting October 1, the subsidy for taxi rides using the city's "Love Card" for seniors and individuals with disabilities will increase. The per-trip subsidy will rise from NT$85 to NT$100. This initiative, long advocated by residents and city council members, aims to improve transportation accessibility for vulnerable populations. The city estimates this adjustment will cost an additional NT$225 million annually.

Furthermore, the "Good Pregnancy" taxi voucher program, which currently offers NT$6,000 per person, will be boosted to NT$10,000. This enhanced subsidy, also effective from October 1, is expected to benefit around 10,000 individuals each year. Mayor Lu highlighted that this program would be applicable to cases like the recently publicized "nine-child mother."

Mayor Lu emphasized that city policies are continuously reviewed to better serve residents, stressing the importance of financial feasibility. She stated that the city government regularly assesses its budget to implement supportive measures, ensuring that initiatives are sustainable and beneficial.

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Policies must be continuously reviewed and improved to benefit citizens more. Policies must consider financial feasibility; if the finances cannot support it, it's useless.