By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Several vehicles were towed near the former Taiwan Railways Kaohsiung Workshop after roadside parking spaces where they had been legally parked were repainted as red lines ahead of the opening of a new family recreation park.
The park is scheduled to open on Father’s Day, Saturday, Aug. 8, at the former TRA workshop site (Taiwan celebrates Father’s Day on Aug. 8 because the date, 八八 bābā, “eight-eight”, sounds like 爸爸 bàba, “father” in Mandarin), but last-minute traffic changes around the area have drawn complaints from some residents and drivers.
Lai Media reported that at least two cars and two scooters had been left in marked parking spaces that were later canceled as part of traffic preparations for the opening. After the spaces were repainted as red lines, the vehicles were classified as illegally parked and towed.
The Kaohsiung Transportation Bureau stated that notices were placed on vehicles on August 3, requesting that owners relocate them by August 5. Vehicles still parked there after the deadline were towed on Friday morning, the bureau reported.
The report stated that the changes occurred during a period of roadwork near the site, including work on Wucing Road (武慶路), Sanduo Road (三多路), and Wuchang Road (武昌路).
Some residents criticized the timing, saying road conditions in the area had been poor for a long time, but work was only being rushed before the park’s opening.
The Kaohsiung City Government has said it expects large crowds when the park opens and is preparing traffic controls, pedestrian guidance, and public transport connections around the site.
