Taichung Bus Driver's Heartwarming Service to Disabled Individuals Moves High School Student Reluctant to Study

(Central News Agency reporter Hao Hsueh-Ching, Taichung, 3rd) The Taichung City Transportation Bureau stated today that Fengyuan Bus driver Zhan Zhi-Kai's professionalism and dedication have been affirmed. He once encountered four wheelchair users boarding simultaneously and provided kind and patient service, which earned applause from all passengers on the bus. A high school student also wrote a letter of gratitude, stating that his work enthusiasm changed her mindset towards attending school. Taichung City Transportation Bureau Director Yeh Chao-Fu explained that Taichung City continues to upgrade its public bus hardware and software facilities. Currently, out of over 1200 buses citywide, 85% are low-floor buses, making them convenient for wheelchair passengers. Yeh Chao-Fu stated that Taichung City's bus shelters feature the pioneering "Smile Bell" service light, which allows drivers to know someone wants to board without passengers having to wave outside the shelter. The Transportation Bureau has further optimized the original "wheelchair" symbol service light, gradually replacing it with a "yellow smiling bell." 567 bus shelters have already completed installation, sending smiles to passengers 365 days a year. Zhan Zhi-Kai, who has served Fengyuan Bus for 20 years, shared that recently, when the service light indicated someone at a bus shelter wanted to board, he stopped the bus. As soon as the door opened, four disabled passengers wanted to go to the same destination. He immediately responded based on his experience. The bus has two wheelchair securement areas, and getting all four on board would be challenging, as assisting one wheelchair passenger takes about 3 to 5 minutes, and four wheelchairs might delay departure. However, safety is more important than rushing. He first explained the situation to passengers via the in-car broadcast and asked for their patience. Zhan Zhi-Kai first pushed two wheelchairs onto the bus and secured them with safety buckles. Then, he guided the other two passengers with better mobility to the seating area and properly stowed their wheelchairs. The entire process took a little longer, but the order was good, and passengers not only had no complaints but also kindly reminded him, "Safety first when boarding," demonstrating a good riding culture, which deeply moved Zhan Zhi-Kai. In addition, Zhan Zhi-Kai recently received a thank-you letter from a high school girl. The letter mentioned that due to academic pressure and environmental changes, she was once reluctant to attend school. During her commute, she worried about being late because she flagged down the bus too late, but "the driver patiently waited for me to board and even said a warm good morning." Each time she arrived at her stop, he kindly said "bye bye." Seeing his responsible work attitude from how he kept the bus clean gradually changed her mindset, helping her rebuild her motivation to learn. Positive feedback from passengers is very precious to drivers and serves as motivation for their work. Zhan Zhi-Kai said that he initially worked in internal maintenance, specializing in bus coin machines and card swipe equipment. Later, he obtained a professional large passenger vehicle driver's license. Because he was familiar with driving and could work independently, and directly served the public, he decided to transfer to a frontline driver position. He also usually encourages his family to take the bus, and his whole family enjoys being "bus riders." In addition to his professional driving skills, he is multi-talented and has also served as an emcee for the "Golden Transport Award" and community events. (Edited by Wu Su-Jou) 1150503