Russian-born bus driver experiences Taiwan’s chaotic road traffic: exclusive
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.
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2026-04-06
