COVID-19 public transport responses in Taipei and Kaohsiung
Part Of
International Perspectives on Public Transport Responses to COVID-19
Start Page
177
End Page
189
ISBN (of the container)
9780443132957
9780443132940
ISBN
9780443132957
9780443132940
Date Issued
2024-01-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Taiwan circumvented the first wave of COVID-19 impact in early 2020 owing to its experience with SARS in 2003. An agile response of border control and a series of rigorous preventive measures were implemented, receiving high acceptance and compliance from the people, who even spontaneously put on masks, thereby successfully containing the spread of the pandemic and maintaining a well-functioning society till mid-2021. The first outbreak of community-acquired infection in May 2021 severely impacted the ridership and operation of public transport in Taiwan. However, a relatively stronger recovery was observed compared with the cases in other cities. The second round of the outbreak on the island due to Omicron in April 2022, albeit, leading to a high infection rate, did not seriously affect people's lives as society was better protected with a high vaccination rate. This study also compares the cases of two major cities in Taiwan, Taipei, and Kaohsiung, by investigating the characteristics of their public transport systems, indicating that the system with higher usage can be less susceptible to COVID-19. Collectively, concluding remarks are drawn that highlight the lesson learned and potential issues to be addressed for better preparedness for the next epidemic.
Subjects
Border control
COVID-19
Public transport
SARS
Taiwan
Publisher
Elsevier
Type
book part