The elderly population in Nantou County has reached 100,000. During a council session on June 3rd, Councilor Sung Huai-lin expressed concerns over the central government’s plan to lower the age requirement for elderly drivers to renew their licenses from 75 to 70 years old. In response, County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua stated that the physical condition and transportation needs of senior citizens vary and that age alone should not be the primary factor for license renewals. She emphasized that while respecting the professional assessment of the vehicle supervision authorities, the county government will also work to complete the "Happy Bus 2.0" project across all 13 townships by the end of next year. This project will provide a reservation-based shuttle service to meet the transportation needs of elderly residents in rural areas, reducing the risks of seniors driving themselves.

Hsu noted that a recent serious traffic accident in New Taipei City involving an elderly driver has sparked public discussions about senior driving safety. While many have called for stricter requirements for elderly drivers to obtain or renew their licenses, Hsu believes the issue should not be viewed solely through the lens of age, as each elder’s health and reaction abilities differ. She hopes the supervision authority can carefully assess and formulate a management policy acceptable to all parties.

Hsu also pointed out that Nantou is a county with a high proportion of rural areas, and many elderly residents have no choice but to drive or ride scooters themselves to get around. Besides revising related regulations, it is crucial to provide safe and convenient alternative transportation options. Since taking office, she has actively promoted the "Happy Bus 2.0" policy to address the lack of public transportation in rural areas. In many parts of Nantou, there is no bus service and even taxis are unwilling to enter. The county government has therefore led the investment of resources, initially launching the service in Lugu, Zhushan, Mingjian, and Guoxing townships. To date, 6 to 7 townships have completed the infrastructure for the service, and it is expected to cover all 13 townships by the end of next year, establishing a comprehensive local transportation network.

Source: Liberty Times / Reporter Chang Hsieh-sheng / 2025.06.03