Recently, the Taipei Metro Wenhu Line broadcast an announcement stating, "Priority seats are not limited by age, please show empathy and care," which has received widespread praise. The Taipei Metro Company stated that they do not want priority seats to become a tool for age or moral coercion but hope that passengers can understand the original legislative intention.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) pointed out that priority seats have sparked a lot of discussions. The Metro company uses broadcasts to let the public understand the purpose of setting up priority seats, emphasizing that age is not the only standard but encouraging passengers to show empathy and love by giving up seats to those in need. This initiative will be extended to other routes.
Some people believe that "priority seats" should be abolished, while others think they should be retained to care for those with hidden needs. (Photo/Internet)
Not only Taipei Metro but also the Taichung City Transportation Bureau has launched "priority stickers" that are not age-restricted, urging passengers to give up their seats when they see someone in need. This has even been incorporated into elementary school textbooks to cultivate empathy and social responsibility among children.
Taipei Metro emphasizes that the principles of using priority seats are not limited to age. People with disabilities, pregnant women, those with mobility issues, parents with children, those feeling unwell, and others with actual needs should have priority use of these seats.
Giving up a seat is not just about the color of the chair but about the empathy and kindness in our hearts. (Photo/Internet)
New Taipei Metro and Taichung Metro have already changed their broadcasts to say, "Please give up your seat to passengers in need," without specifically highlighting "priority seats." They advocate for riding etiquette, where any seat can be given up to those in need.
Additionally, since 2007, Taipei Metro has introduced "priority identification stickers" and "maternity badges," provided to pregnant women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and those feeling unwell. Taichung Metro and Taichung City buses have similar "priority stickers" available for passengers who need them, allowing others to identify and give up their seats.
Since 2007, Taipei Metro has introduced priority seat identification stickers and maternity badges, which passengers can obtain for free at station inquiry counters. (Photo/Taipei Metro)
Taichung City Transportation Bureau Director Yeh Chao-fu stated that the design of the bus "priority seat" cards originated from the care of strangers. Last year, it was included in the fifth-grade social studies textbook by Nani Publishing House, embedding the concept of priority seats in children's minds from a young age.
