Taipei: Taiwan’s Legislature has recently passed an amendment that expands the eligibility for priority seats on public transportation, traditionally reserved for the elderly and people with disabilities, to include all individuals with actual needs.

According to Focus Taiwan, the amendment to Article 53 of the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act involves changing the Mandarin term from “courtesy seat” to “priority seat” in English. Previously, these seats were designated for the disabled, elderly, women, and children, constituting no less than 15 percent of the total seats available on public transportation systems. The amendment now allows these seats to be used by “others with actual needs,” while maintaining the same 15 percent ratio.

In addition to the change in terminology, the Legislative Yuan passed a supplementary resolution. This resolution requests the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, to create standardized signag
e for priority seats to be used across all modes of public transportation in Taiwan.

The concept of courtesy seats in Taiwan is believed to have originated from a report in the United Daily News on April 2, 1976. The report, titled “Promoting the compassionate spirit of President Chiang — Courtesy Seats to be installed on all public buses,” highlighted an initiative by Taipei bus companies to set aside such seats in honor of the anniversary of President Chiang Kai-shek’s death. A total of 2,699 buses participated, with citizens encouraged to give up their seats to the elderly, women, and children.

Despite being formally enshrined into law on May 31, 2013, courtesy seat disputes have persisted, prompting lawmakers from various political parties to propose amendments to the law earlier this year.