Taiwan’s legislature has passed an amendment to change the signage on Taiwan's public transportation regarding priority seating to include a wider range of people and bring an end to arguments about who is allowed to use seats reserved for people who need them.
00:00Here at Taipei Metro Train, you will see the sign that says passengers should yield the seat to the elderly, pregnant, disabled, and those who travel with babies and children.
00:08But that may be about to change.
00:10Taiwan's legislature has passed a draft amendment that aims to remove the specific references to the elderly, women, and children on metros, buses, and trains in the law.
00:21The goal is to be more inclusive, recognizing the needs of people with disabilities and anyone who may have invisible discomfort or illnesses.
00:32The amendment also proposes changing its Chinese name to a more inclusive term to match with its English translation.
00:39The original name, Bo Ai, translates to benevolence and stems from a core philosophy in Chinese history.
00:46It's meant to promote universal love and care for one another.
00:49While the name and its target groups was well-intended, they were often twisted by passengers to use against each other.
00:56Footage of conflicts erupting on public transport commonly circulates online.
01:01Often they involve debate over who should be prioritized and whether some people should occupy the seats.
01:07Many passengers do yield the seats when they see someone in need, but too often the signs of someone in need are unclear.
01:13Some think it's people's behavior that needs to change.
01:31But for groups who fight for disability rights, it's still a symbolic improvement.
01:56The amendment is still going through the legislature.
02:25If it's passed, lawmakers say the Transportation Ministry should standardize the signage on all public transportation.
02:33While lawmakers are working to rebrand priority seats, allowing more people to enjoy the service,
02:38the ultimate goal is for everyone using public transit to be more kind to each other and to share the space in peace.
02:43Joseph Wu and Iring Lin in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.
