TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's popular TPASS commuter discount program faces a funding crisis that threatens nearly one million commuters nationwide, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) warned on Monday (Jan. 5). Chiang urged the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, and the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, to improve communication to resolve the impasse. The mayor pledged that Taipei would strive to protect citizens' interests amid the budget standoff between central and local governments.
The Taipei Department of Transportation (台北市交通局) has revealed that delayed central government subsidies have forced the city to rely on its remaining budget from last year, which will only last until the end of January. The funding shortfall affects four major metropolitan areas: Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan, which together form Taiwan's northern population center. Transportation Minister Chen Shi-kai (陳世凱) stated that if TPASS continues, it must rely on revenue from regular ticket sales and local government contributions.
Chen warned these funds may not be sufficient to sustain operations, raising concerns about the program's viability beyond January. Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨), Taiwan's third-largest political party, lawmaker Lin Kuo-cheng (林國成) accused the Lai administration of misleading the public over the budget situation. Lin urged the government to stop deceiving Taiwanese citizens about the funding crisis affecting the commuter program.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), Taiwan's ruling party, lawmaker Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) explained that the TPASS budget is part of the annual budget, which includes new components to enhance long-distance bus operations. Public Construction Commission (工程會) Chairman Chen Jin-de (陳金德) noted that flood control funding faces similar challenges, with a NT$100 billion (around US$3.2 billion) four-year budget affecting river management subsidies. The new flood control plan beginning this year will impact local government funding as Taiwan's broader budget impasse continues. ◼