TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced on Monday (Nov. 20) that the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) must implement an online system for train drivers to apply for leave by the end of this year.
This decision follows reports of drivers sleeping on the floor in the office and struggling to schedule time off due to the current in-person leave application system.
According to reports, the TRA's Taipei Rolling Stock Branch uses a manual queuing system for leave scheduling. This approach often leads to disputes, especially during extended holidays, as leave approvals are granted on a first-come-first-served basis.
Addressing the Legislative Yuan, MOTC head Wang Kwo-tsai highlighted the mismatch between the demand for drivers and the limited staff availability. This imbalance makes it challenging to fulfill all leave requests, contributing to the current predicament.
Concerning the staff shortage at Taiwan Railways, Wang noted that recruitment exams for railway staff are scheduled post-TRA's corporatization in 2024. Some specialized railway examinations conducted in June have already caused disruptions in the transportation system.