Taipei mayor announces NT$8,000 taxi subsidy for pregnant women

Taipei mayor announces NT$8,000 taxi subsidy for pregnant women

2023-04-12

The Taipei City government has announced a taxi subsidy program for expectant mothers. The program will grant up to NT$250 per taxi ride during pregnancy and for six months postpartum, for up to NT$8,000 in total. This nearly NT$40 million plan is facing backlash from some city councilors, who say it is reckless spending that threatens the budget of other city programs. The subsidy will launch in July, if approved by the city council.

For pregnant women going to their prenatal checkups, taxi fare can add up fast if they can’t drive or take public transport. But in Taipei, moms-to-be could soon have a reason to celebrate. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has announced a taxi subsidy program for pregnant women.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
We’re launching a taxi program for pregnant women. This not only fulfills a campaign promise I made last year, but is also outlined in our city government white paper. Compared to other programs, ours has the longest duration, as women become eligible during pregnancy. Secondly, we offer the highest amount of subsidy.

The subsidy covers up to NT$250 per trip, for up to NT$8,000 per pregnancy.

Member of public
When I was pregnant I sometimes drove myself around. Other times I took a taxi, which would cost around NT$300 or NT$400 per trip.

Member of public
Will this increase the birthrate, who knows? But it will certainly be helpful for those who are already pregnant or have children.

The cab subsidy is set to launch in July. It will be open to people whose households are registered in Taipei, and who hold a government-issued “Pregnant Women’s Health Manual.” They can access the subsidy by registering on the TaipeiPASS mobile app, and by booking their rides in advance. Some 7,000 pregnant women are expected to benefit from the program, which is open to all income levels and will cost NT$39.2 million. The budget has already been allocated and awaits city council review.

Chan Wei-yuan
Taipei City councilor (KMT)
It’s clear that this is a comprehensive measure to ease the financial burden on young parents. It could also attract residents from other cities and counties to register their households in Taipei.

Hong Jian-yi
Taipei City councilor (DPP)
This kind of reckless spending is already affecting and squeezing other budget allocations. Unless the mayor is willing to pay for it using his NT$700 million reserve fund. Taipei City still has external debts. We want Mayor Chiang Wan-an to do more than write empty checks.

The councilor said the city should rethink how it pays for the program, in light of how other budgets are affected.

北市孕婦搭小黃每胎最高補助8千議員質疑大撒幣

2023-04-12

台北市府推出孕婦乘車補助金，設籍台北市的孕婦，從產檢到產後6個月，搭乘計程車每趟最多折抵250元，最高補助8000元，而且不排富，預計今年7月上路，預估將動用近4000萬元經費。但議員質疑根本大撒幣，這筆經費勢必排擠到其他預算。

孕媽咪去產檢，若不開車或搭乘大眾交通工具，搭計程車往返，又是一筆費用。現在台北市民的有福了，市長蔣萬安宣布推出孕婦乘車金補助。

[[台北市長蔣萬安]]
“我們推出好孕專車，這不只是兌現我去年的政見，也在我們市政白皮書裡面。我們期間最長，不只是從婦女懷孕開始，第二我們金額最高。”

乘車金補助一趟最多補助250元，每一胎提供最高8000元乘車金。

[[民眾]]
“我懷孕的時候有時候是自己開車，有時候是搭(計乘)車，來一趟大概要300元、400元。”

[[民眾]]
“是不是能提高生育率是個問號，但對於已經懷孕或是已經有小孩的人，一定是有幫助的嘛。”

孕婦乘車補助預計在7月上路，只要設籍北市且領有孕婦健康手冊都能申請，將結合台北通APP派發乘車金，採取預約搭車。預計台北市有7000位孕婦受惠，還不排富，預算需3920萬，目前已經編列，送往議會審查。

[[台北市議員(國) 詹為元]]
“可以看出是一種全面性的降低年輕父母生兒育女的負擔，而且也能吸引其他縣市因此入籍台北市。”

[[台北市議員(民) 洪健益]]
“這種大撒幣的一些政策，事實上已經影響及排擠到其他相關預算，除非市長的第二預備金7億多願意拿出來。台北市還有對外的負債，希望蔣萬安市長不要只是開空頭支票。”

議員認為，孕婦友善政策，錢從何而來，是否會排擠到其他預算，蔣市府應全盤考慮。

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