Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications has put forward new regulations designed to safeguard independent taxi drivers from steep fees levied by taxi companies. This proposal comes in response to grievances from vehicle owners about exorbitant affiliation fees required to secure taxi operating licenses, with some reports indicating charges as high as NT$350,000 in Taichung.
The proposed amendments aim to prevent taxi companies from imposing unauthorized charges that are not sanctioned by authorities or outlined in contracts. Additionally, the regulations would prohibit companies from coercing drivers into purchasing vehicles from specific dealerships or mandating loans and insurance through chosen financial institutions.
According to the new rules, taxi companies would need to secure official approval for their affiliation fee structures and ensure these are publicly available on their websites. The authorities would be granted the power to instruct companies to cease improper fee collections and to reimburse drivers for any overcharges. Furthermore, both drivers and taxi companies would be required to maintain contracts, receipts, and transaction records to enhance transparency.
In a bid to streamline operations, the proposal also suggests reducing the minimum duration before an unused taxi quota can be reassigned from three years to one year, with an option for a one-year extension. The regulations are anticipated to come into effect in August, with penalties for non-compliance including fines of up to NT$90,000, partial suspension of operations, or potentially the revocation of operating licenses for severe violations.