Taipei: A bus collision in Taipei on Sunday left nine people injured, prompting an apology from the operator, Metropolitan Transport Corp. (MTC), which oversees both buses. The company has vowed to take corrective measures to prevent future incidents.

According to Focus Taiwan, the collision took place on Zhongxiao East Road Section 3 in Da'an District and involved two buses operating on the No. 262 route. Police reported that the driver of the second bus, a 46-year-old man, admitted to failing to brake properly and not maintaining a safe distance, resulting in his bus rear-ending another which had stopped at a red light.

Seven passengers from the rear bus, along with the front bus driver and an additional passenger, were transported to four hospitals for treatment. All individuals were conscious, with some experiencing minor abrasions. Both drivers underwent breathalyzer tests, returning zero blood alcohol content. Their driving licenses were found to be valid, though the precise cause of the collision is still under investigation.

In response to the incident, MTC apologized and committed to covering all medical expenses for the victims. Each injured person will receive NT$3,000 (US$92) as compensation, plus an additional NT$1,000 to cover transportation costs upon discharge from medical facilities.

An initial investigation by the Taipei City Public Transportation Office suggested that the accident was caused by the second bus driver's failure to observe traffic conditions.