A highly experienced Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) train conductor has been found to have driven under the influence multiple times while concealing the fact and failing to report it, which is bad news for the TRA's personnel management and public credibility.

• A veteran TRA train conductor, badge number 63, appeared on the repeat drink-driving offenders' blacklist published by New Taipei City last year.

• The person concerned admitted to two instances of drink-driving between 2022 and 2024, but in neither case did they voluntarily report it to their unit within one week as required by regulations.

• As a result, the TRA remained unaware of the situation and took no steps to tighten management of, or take action against, this conductor.

• Frontline personnel on duty must have a breathalyser reading of zero before starting work, and this case highlights a gap in internal oversight.

Outlook: The TRA will impose penalties for both the drink-driving and the failure to report it, in accordance with the relevant regulations on drink-driving by public servants, and will refer the matter to its performance review committee to consider whether to pursue disciplinary action. From May next year, it will also incorporate licence suspensions and breathalyser tests before and after driving into the routine inspections for official vehicles.