Over 100 Taxi Drivers Protest in Kaohsiung; Mayor Chen Chi-mai Pledges to Form Advisory Committee
On May 20, over a hundred taxi drivers gathered outside the Kaohsiung City Government to protest alleged exploitation by taxi companies and demand rest stations. In response, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai promised to establish a "Taxi Advisory Committee" within one month and provide suitable rest locations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 18:15
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 18:31 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 20:00 (1h 29m after Collected)
Over a hundred taxi drivers gathered outside the Kaohsiung City Government this afternoon to protest, demanding a thorough investigation of taxi license numbers, an end to exploitation by taxi companies, and the provision of rest stations. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai promised to establish a taxi advisory committee within one month and provide suitable rest locations.
The Taiwan National Motor Drivers' Rights Alliance Association held a parade today outside the Kaohsiung City Government's Sihwei Administrative Center titled "Drivers, Unite to Defend Our Right to Survive!", calling on drivers to circle the area in their cars to fight for their rights.
Liu Hung-chang, chairman of the association, stated that taxi companies in Kaohsiung have long been charging exorbitant fees under various pretexts. While this situation has gradually improved in Taipei, Kaohsiung drivers are still being held captive by these companies. He hoped the Kaohsiung City Transportation Bureau would thoroughly investigate the number of licenses to make the system open and transparent.
One driver mentioned that while Taipei already has several rest stations for taxi drivers, in Kaohsiung they fear getting ticketed for even parking on the roadside. Many drivers come from Pingtung and Tainan to work in Kaohsiung, and they hope for a place where drivers can rest to provide safer services after adequate breaks.
DPP Kaohsiung City Councilor Lee Ya-hui submitted the petition to Chen Chi-mai on behalf of the organizers during a general interpellation at the city council this morning. Lee pointed out that under the current system, drivers must obtain a license and then affiliate with a taxi company. However, since licenses can be extended, the license quotas have become concentrated in the hands of a few companies, creating a resale market and placing a heavy burden on drivers before they even enter the industry.
In his response, Chen Chi-mai stated that a "Taxi Advisory Committee" will be established in accordance with legal procedures within one month. Furthermore, he noted that roadside parking spaces in Kaohsiung currently offer free parking for taxi drivers to eat and rest during lunchtime, and this period could be extended. He added that taxi drivers' rest times are not fixed, so they should be given more flexibility. The city will also look into finding suitable locations for drivers to rest properly.
Regarding the number of licenses, Chen pointed out that the current number of registered taxis in Kaohsiung is 9,200, and there are still available license slots. Future license extensions will also need to be submitted to the committee for review. The city government will protect the rights of drivers and will require the Transportation Bureau and the Labor Affairs Bureau to conduct joint inspections to prevent exploitation.
The Taiwan National Motor Drivers' Rights Alliance Association held a parade today outside the Kaohsiung City Government's Sihwei Administrative Center titled "Drivers, Unite to Defend Our Right to Survive!", calling on drivers to circle the area in their cars to fight for their rights.
Liu Hung-chang, chairman of the association, stated that taxi companies in Kaohsiung have long been charging exorbitant fees under various pretexts. While this situation has gradually improved in Taipei, Kaohsiung drivers are still being held captive by these companies. He hoped the Kaohsiung City Transportation Bureau would thoroughly investigate the number of licenses to make the system open and transparent.
One driver mentioned that while Taipei already has several rest stations for taxi drivers, in Kaohsiung they fear getting ticketed for even parking on the roadside. Many drivers come from Pingtung and Tainan to work in Kaohsiung, and they hope for a place where drivers can rest to provide safer services after adequate breaks.
DPP Kaohsiung City Councilor Lee Ya-hui submitted the petition to Chen Chi-mai on behalf of the organizers during a general interpellation at the city council this morning. Lee pointed out that under the current system, drivers must obtain a license and then affiliate with a taxi company. However, since licenses can be extended, the license quotas have become concentrated in the hands of a few companies, creating a resale market and placing a heavy burden on drivers before they even enter the industry.
In his response, Chen Chi-mai stated that a "Taxi Advisory Committee" will be established in accordance with legal procedures within one month. Furthermore, he noted that roadside parking spaces in Kaohsiung currently offer free parking for taxi drivers to eat and rest during lunchtime, and this period could be extended. He added that taxi drivers' rest times are not fixed, so they should be given more flexibility. The city will also look into finding suitable locations for drivers to rest properly.
Regarding the number of licenses, Chen pointed out that the current number of registered taxis in Kaohsiung is 9,200, and there are still available license slots. Future license extensions will also need to be submitted to the committee for review. The city government will protect the rights of drivers and will require the Transportation Bureau and the Labor Affairs Bureau to conduct joint inspections to prevent exploitation.