Russian-born bus driver experiences Taiwan’s chaotic road traffic: exclusive

Russian-born bus driver experiences Taiwan’s chaotic road traffic: exclusive

2026-04-06

A Russian-born bus driver in Kaohsiung gets to experience Taiwan’s infamous traffic first-hand. This weekend, he was blocked by a passenger car that stopped for no reason in front of him at an intersection, just as he was about to head to the next stop. The driver even went as far as to approach him, seemingly attempting to intimidate him. His name in Mandarin is Lin Ya-li, and he’s been in Taiwan for seven years now, was not fazed. The passenger car driver knew he was in the wrong, and left duly when the bus driver suggested calling the police. Although he didn’t report the incident himself, the police say they’ll deal with the car driver accordingly. Let’s hear from the bus driver himself in our exclusive report.

In this video captured by a member of the public at an intersection, a gunmetal grey car is blocking a bus. The car driver steps out and approaches the bus driver, who’s on the driver’s seat on the bus’s left-hand side. Seemingly unhappy, he yells at the bus driver. It seems as though the two are in a traffic dispute.

The bus’s dashcam footage reveals how things came to be. The bus had just stopped at Jiangong Road when it was closely followed by the grey car. The driver wanted to overtake the bus from the right, but that was when the bus was about to depart and also switched towards the left lane.

The bus driver then rolled down the window and gestured a thumbs-up. The car driver slowed down just as it overtook the bus, but then he stopped and blocked the bus. That was when the car driver approached the bus driver.

- So you just won’t yield to the bus, is that correct?
- Why must you drive over to my side?
- Let me ask you a question…
- Did you not break traffic rules?
- How about I call the police? Yes or no?

Only when the bus driver threatened to call the police did he drive off.

Tseng Chao-yuan
Jueming Police Station, Kaohsiung
In the footage, the passenger car stopped in the middle of the lane while driving, not due to an emergency. It’s a violation of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, subject to a fine of NT$6,000 to NT$36,000, an immediate ban on driving and a 6-month suspension of the vehicle’s license plate.

As for the bus driver, he’s a Russian-born permanent resident in Taiwan, known in Mandarin as Lin Ya-li. He’s been in Taiwan for seven years now. He used to be a truck driver, but switched to buses four months ago. This was the first time he’s caught in a traffic dispute. Fortunately, he quickly resolved the issue by remaining calm, but even before this incident, he’s already developed mixed feelings toward Taiwan’s road traffic, especially in the south.

- What do you think about Taiwan’s traffic?
- Hahaha…

Lin Ya-li
Bus driver
You may have already turned on a turn signal, but drivers that just won’t yield to you may even double down and go faster. Scooters are on all sides of your bus. They’d completely encircle the bus. How am I supposed to drive? Every day I go home exhausted, not physically but mentally.

He also says that it’s a lot more difficult to obtain a driver’s license in Russia than in Taiwan, and traffic law enforcement is also stricter.

Lin Ya-li
Bus driver
It’s really strict in my country. It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle you’re driving. If you cross the double white lines, even just by the tiniest bit, you’ll have your license suspended for six months.

Coming from a country with stricter traffic rules, it’s no wonder passengers are satisfied with his careful and smooth driving.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#taiwan #kaohsiung #roadsafety #traffic #traffichell

疑不滿擋道! 駕駛攔公車咆哮運將回嗆報警

2026-04-06

高雄有轎車駕駛疑似不滿公車擋住行車路線，竟然開到前面十字路口，把公車攔下，還下車跟公車司機理論。公車司機當下回嗆要報警，轎車駕駛才把車開走。警方表示，轎車駕駛明顯違規，而且涉犯公共危險和強制罪，雖然沒有接獲報案，仍然會進行調查。

民眾拍下影片，十字路口斑馬線上，一輛鐵灰色的轎車，擋在公車的前面，轎車車主下車，走向公車車頭左側的駕駛座，似乎很不高興的對著公車駕駛咆哮，疑似是雙方有行車糾紛。

從公車的行車紀錄器還原整起事件，當時公車停靠在建工站，鐵灰色轎車就緊跟在後頭，往左側企圖超車，但這時公車卻起步，也往左側切。

公車司機開窗，比出個大姆指，轎車開過公車時，一度放慢速度，然後切到前方擋住公車，駕駛氣沖沖的下車理論。

-你不讓公車會不舒服是不是?
-你硬切過來什麼意思?
-我問你一個問題
-你有沒有違法?
-你要不要我報警就好?要不要?

公車司機回嗆要報警，轎車車主這才開車離去。

[[高市警覺民派出所副所長曾朝元]]
“影像中自小客車在行駛中，非因突發狀況於車道中暫停，違反道路交通管理處罰條例，處新台幣6000元以上，36000元以下罰鍰，當場禁止其駕駛，並吊扣該汽車牌照6個月。”

當事公車司機是來自俄羅斯的林亞歷，在台定居七年，取得永久居留證，原本是開大貨車，四個月前改開公車。第一次在路上和人發生行車糾紛，林亞歷冷靜化解，他也感嘆，南部的交通真的讓他很頭痛。

-台灣的交通怎麼樣?
-呵呵呵(苦笑)...

[[高雄市公車外籍司機林亞歷]]
“你打了方向燈之後，故意的不讓你，還是會加速，你的公車旁邊全部是摩托車，全部都被圍起來我要怎麼開?我每天回家不是我的身體累，我的頭會很累。”

林亞歷提到，俄羅斯考照和警察執法都比台灣嚴格多了。

[[高雄市公車外籍司機林亞歷]]
“我們那裡很嚴格，不管你開什麼車，你今天超過雙線，你一點點壓到雙線，你會被扣掉駕照6個月。”

乘客們稱讚林亞歷開車很穩，而且很小心、細心。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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The 2026 Taiwan International Balloon Festival is to begin on July 4. After pairing with the two major Japanese IP brands Hello Kitty and Doraemon, this year, the globally beloved Chiikawa is joining the lineup. The county is also planning the world’s first drone show featuring Chiikawa. With fans already this excited, the county predicts it will welcome over 1 million visitors again this year.

An adorable Doraemon hot air balloon takes to the sky, capturing everyone’s attention. Every year during the Taiwan International Balloon Festival, tens of thousands of people flock to Luye Highlands in Taitung to watch the balloons.

There’s also a Hello Kitty balloon that’s just as eye-catching. After already working with these two classic Japanese IPs, the popular Chiikawa is set to join the lineup this year. Adding to the hype ahead of a movie release at the end of July, Taitung has designed a special Chiikawa hot air balloon as well as a series of themed events.

Hung Kuo-chin
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It’s the first time Chiikawa mascots are to come to Taiwan, and we’ll hold Taiwan’s first meet-and-greet for Chiikawa. In addition, we will hold the world’s first Chiikawa-themed drone show here in Taitung on April 11.

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This year we have eight light installations and six drone and firework shows. We’d like to invite everyone who loves Chiikawa and hot air balloons to come to Taitung this summer and join us for this exciting event.

The Taiwan International Balloon Festival officially kicks off on July 4th. With Doraemon, Hello Kitty, and now also Chiikawa balloons to enjoy, this summer, everyone’s eyes will be on the skies over Taitung.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Endangered Formosan landlocked salmon natural offspring found

People recently saw a group of newly hatched Formosan landlocked salmon in the Qijiawan River, showing that the species is now naturally reproducing and has overcome the threat of extinction. This endangered species is endemic to Taiwan and its population had dwindled to just over 200 in the 1980s. Years of conservation efforts by public and private agencies have helped the fish rebound.

A school of small gray fish swim energetically in the river. They may seem ordinary, but these are Formosan landlocked salmon, an endangered species endemic to Taiwan.

Liao Lin-yen
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Formosan landlocked salmon begin hatching in November. They rise to the surface after about 90 days at around 10 degrees Celsius, so these fish look to be about two months old.

These treasured baby fish were seen in February. The Taiwan Salmon Eco Center said it has waited a long time for this moment, as the species was on the verge of extinction with a population of only 200 in the 1980s. Over the past 30 years, the Shei-Pa National Park has restored habitats and released fish fry, helping the population to recover.

Liao Lin-yen
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For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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This sashimi platter, adorned with intricate carved garnishes and floral decorations, is presented in a luxurious manner reminiscent of an emperor’s banquet. There’s also a mullet roe salad cup, featuring whole grilled mullet roe topped with apple slices and romaine lettuce. It’s a veritable fusion of East and West.

A Tainan-based banquet chef, A-po, with 13 years of experience, has even found creative ways to elevate post-meal fruit platters. His newly launched “Nine-Compartment Fruit Box” is presented like a bento box; each box contains nine kinds of seasonal fruit, arranged in an exquisite display that is truly eye-catching.

Member of the public
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I’ve never received this kind of fruit gift box before. When I attended weddings in the past, it was usually just a single fruit tower, so I feel the host is extremely sincere and generous.

Member of the public
Commenting on new banquets
These days, banquets are getting more and more extravagant. If I received one, I would be very happy, it would feel like the host is showing great sincerity.

A-po
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We use relatively sweeter and fresher seasonal fruits, packaged in a nine-compartment fruit box. It’s bold yet refined. It also is a way for guests to take any leftovers home.

In the past, some master chefs have presented lobster cold dishes in gift boxes, packed whole abalone and fruit jelly into pull-top cans, and even showcased rows of giant prawns. Southern banquet culture is bold and extravagant, with each event posing a new creative challenge.

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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After being cooked, the noodles are soaked in an ice bath to give them a springier texture.

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Authentic Tainan night market experience at Tokyo Skytree Town

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Meng Chia-mei
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Relax with a typical Taiwanese massage and enjoy a fried chicken larger than the face. You might think you’re at a Taiwanese night market, but no, this is actually Tokyo Skytree Town.

This is the largest “Taiwan Matsuri” event ever held in Japan. To celebrate ten years of Taiwan’s night market experience up north, the organizer has teamed up with the Tainan City Government and brought the city’s famous hand-painted lanterns and various night market snacks all the way to Tokyo, more than 2,000km away.

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Wu Chen-wei
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Organizers hope cultural exchanges with local Japanese will boost Taiwan tourism. The Japanese were the largest tourist group to Taiwan by nationality in 2025, numbered at 1.48 million and accounting for 17.3% of all international visitors. However, in the same year, Taiwanese made 6.73 million trips to Japan. The industry hopes to balance the numbers.

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A large group of people wearing red walk side by side in twos with their hands clasped and praying as they move. But then…

The red-clad believers fall to their knees and prostrate themselves on the ground. The strange ritual shocked passersby, and video of their moves was uploaded online, receiving comments like, “What kind of cult ritual is this?”

Member of public
Commenting on rite
I don’t know. They weren’t doing any harm. No harm, but no good either. I don’t know what they were doing. It lasted about 15 minutes.

Member of public
Commenting on rite
It was very abrupt and strange. They shouldn’t do that in crowded areas. Maybe in the outskirts it would be better.

The peculiar parade was organized by the China Body Mind Spirit Capacity Association and started at 3 in the afternoon on Tomb Sweeping Festival, around the Taoyuan Arts Center. Members say it was a city-cleansing ritual, an event bringing together body, mind and spiritual practice to fill urban spaces with positive energy.

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We applied for the relevant permits and coordinated the event with volunteers to direct traffic. The ritual is meant to connect our minds with the earth and thank the earth for all the plentiful resources it gives us.

The city cleansing brought together more than 100 participants and it is a practice that has even been recognized by Guinness World Records. Though participants say they aimed to spread positive energy, for some onlookers it was simply an unsettling sight.

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