According to a recent survey, city transportation is one of Taipei citizens' greatest problems. The city of Taipei has over 30,000 taxis, with a taxi for every 75 citizens, perhaps the highest concentration in the world. As speed means more time gained for business, the city's fast-driving cab drivers have become a focal point of criticism. Moreover, as the taxi driver is one of the first people that foreign visitors come into contact with, the quality of taxi transportation can indirectly affect the country's image.

Improving the quality of taxi service and maintaining traffic order--these are the goals of the Green Cross Traffic Service Squad. The green cross refers to peace and order, and the spirit of contribution.

The squad was organized in 1981. During the fall of that year the Association of Professional Drivers organized a three month National Courtesy Movement. Car stickers announcing the aims of the movement encouraged taxi drivers to show more courtesy to both customers and pedestrians. Positive reactions to these efforts led to the creation of the Green Cross Squad, organized with the purpose of continuing in the spirit of the Courtesy Movement.

The Green Cross Squad consisted initially of 43 volunteer members, all taxi drivers with a charitable concern for public safety. Requirements for joining the squad are stiff. All applicants must be at least one-year members of the Association of Professional Drivers, with no record of traffic violations for the previous three years. Interviews and investigations are used to determine each applicant's sense of ethics and social responsibility. It is crucial that each squad member show qualities of perseverance and moral concern, and the spirit of service and contribution. Without these, they would be unable to take on the thankless job of traffic control.

Most members feel that the Green Cross Squad came at a crucial point in time, when traffic congestion and speeding have made their services invaluable. Huang Yi-ch'eng, a straightforward, devoted squad leader feels that the responsibility for traffic safety cannot rest solely on the shoulders of traffic police. Drivers must put forth their own efforts.

The Green Cross Squad now has 160 members, divided into 16 smaller teams. Two of these teams consist of all women members. The work of the teams takes two different forms: set time and location assignments, and mobile duties.

Set time and location assignments entail aiding traffic police in maintaining the orderly flow of traffic in the busy center of Taipei during peak hours. The specific times and locations of these assignments are determined by the city police. Currently, Green Cross members have shifts on weekdays from five to seven o'clock p.m., and Saturdays from eleven o'clock a.m. to one o'clock p.m. Shifts are taken by two members a day, and each member may have two to three assignments every month.

The squad's greatest success however, has been in its mobile duties. While driving on their normal routes, members may come onto a troublesome situation such as a traffic jam, car accident, or traffic light out of order. In such cases they will stop their car, pin on the green cross badge and take the actions necessary to alleviate the situation. This may mean directing traffic or alerting the police of an accident.

The Green Cross Squad may at times even make a contribution to public safety. Members proudly recall how in 1982 Li Fu-lai discovered a fleeing robber, and used his taxi to block the criminal's escape. That same year Yang Ke-shang witnessed a hitand-run accident, and helped to pursue and catch the guilty driver.

While the squad lacks nothing in enthusiasm and familiarity with traffic regulations, their professional training and power of authority is admittedly limited. Their work initially went unappreciated, and some considered the squad to be meddlesome. But members were prepared for such receptions, and have not considered them a significant deterrent. One member, Kuo Mi comments that because the squad lacks the authority of the police, they must maintain a sincere, amiable attitude to be most effective. With this in mind, the squad is now gradually gaining confidence and recognition.

They have also gained popularity. The green cross has become a mark of quality and safety. The Association of Professional Drivers often receives calls requesting the services of a Green Cross taxi, and many women who return home late at night prefer to wait for a taxi with a green cross on its window.

In the past three years around 500 taxi drivers have entered the squad, but only a portion have chosen to remain for any length of time. This is due in part to the strict demands of squad responsibilities, and partly to the constant pressure to drive cautiously at all times in order to uphold the squad's reputation.

At the same time, membership is an honor and source of pride, and gives significance to the taxi drivers' otherwise monotonous existence. It provides them the opportunity to be more active, and to gain the friendship and moral support of fellow taxi drivers.

The Green Cross Squad often receives the praise of government and private organizations for their efforts, and similar squads are forming in other cities which have been impressed with their services. But despite these positive signs of encouragement, finances are a continual problem for Green Cross. At present, the Association of Professional Drivers appropriates a yearly sum of US$2,500 for administrative costs. At the squad's establishment, city police provided training in traffic gestures. Remaining expenses have been paid for with contributions from the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Chinese Auto Safety Association and other private organizations. But without adequate, reliable funding, proper uniforms, equipment and professional training are not always available. It is hoped that as the Green Cross Squad gains recognition and affirmation, more training opportunities and funding will become available for the future.

Traffic safety is everyone's responsibility. The Green Cross Squad has upheld this responsibility by contributing their time and efforts toward making transportation in Taipei convenient and safe. It is hoped that their efforts will provide an example and inspiration to all.

(Jill Ardourel)

[Picture Caption]

1. A member of the Green Cross squad stands between rushing cars in the pouring rain, systematically conducting traffic. 2.3. Every day at rush hour, Green Cross members conduct traffic on the busy Chungshan North Road in Taipei's city center.

1. After a traffic accident, two Taipei citizens request assistance from a Green Cross member. 2. The green cross is a symbol of peace and order. Many women who return home late at night prefer to wait for a taxi with a green cross on its window.