The Directorate General of Highways recently released the results of its evaluation on tour bus safety and service quality, which shows that 20 bus companies were graded as D. And the companies have been ordered to make improvements within three months to meet the standards. Still, consumer protection officials are urging the authorities to consider suspending the operation of repeated violators.

Due to the influx of Chinese tourists, demand for tour bus services has skyrocketed in recent years.

The Directorate General of Highways recently conducted a tour bus safety and service quality survey, and 20 out of 878 bus companies reviewed received "D" grades due to factors including driver training and quality.

In accordance with the Highway Act, the 20 companies will have three months to implement improvements or face being shut down.

However, Taipei City-based Taiyi Bus and Taoyuan County-based Dajiahao Bus are still operating despite receiving D's in two consecutive inspections.

In response to calls from consumer protection officials to protect consumer rights, the DGH says that it is assessing new exit mechanisms for bus companies that fail safety inspections.

When asked why the DGH review failed to take into account the age of operating buses, a DGH official said that age cannot be used to determine whether a bus is safe to use.

As many tour bus companies use vehicles that are more than 15 years old, the implementation of new age restrictions may be needed in the future.