TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — The Taichung City Government announced on Wednesday (May 22) that 16 Taichung Metro (台中捷運) heroic passengers who confronted a perpetrator during a random attack on May 21 will receive lifetime free rides on the metro.
The decision, aimed at honoring their courage, underscores the community's resilience in the face of violence and their remarkable act of bravery, said Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen (盧秀燕).
This gesture of gratitude extends to all 16 passengers who intervened during the crisis, 10 of whom have been identified, with efforts ongoing to confirm the identities of the remaining six. Once identified, each will be contacted and awarded their lifetime passes, as confirmed by Mayor Lu.
Following the incident, the Taichung Metro Company reported a significant decrease in ridership, with daily numbers dropping by 15%, translating to 5,000 to 6,000 fewer passengers.
Prior to the attack, the metro boasted an average daily ridership of over 40,000, which has since decreased to 30,000 in the days immediately following the event.