Ranting bus passenger forced to make public apology

Want China Times, CNA and Staff Reporter 2014-08-09

Jackson Chu, right, apologizes to the bus driver he subjected to a verbal
assault, Aug. 8 (Photo/CNA)

A Taiwanese American man who recently threw a tantrum on a bus and verbally assaulted the driver in a foul-mouthed tirade in English made an open apology to the driver on Friday.

Jackson Chu called the Taoyuan Bus Co to say that he wished to apologize to the driver, Chen Chin-chi, in private, a request that was rejected outright by the company given the notoriety of the incident, which had been captured by a fellow passenger who uploaded it to the internet. The video swiftly went viral and pitchforks were out for the "foreigner," as the poster supposed him to be, as did the first media outlets to jump on the story.

The company insisted instead that Chu instead make an open apology at a police station, so he presented himself at a police station later that day where he read a statement in halting Mandarin Chinese interspersed with English.

Chu said it was not right for him to have used bad language and that he was "impolite." He apologized to Chen and the passengers on the bus.

Chu also asked Chen's forgiveness and expressed hope that he can continue to ride on his bus. He and Chen then shook hands and hugged, with Chen saying that he forgave Chu and welcomes him to use his bus again.

"We are a happy country, he is our guest and we welcome him to take our bus. He has said sorry and that will do," Chen said, adding that he did not want a minor dispute to turn into a big confrontation.

Chen said that although he did not understand all of Chu's Chinese, he felt his sincerity.

The bus company, which had earlier decided to file a lawsuit against Chu, said the incident "has come to a happy conclusion" and that it would drop the suit.

Chu lost his temper when the driver went past his stop — witnesses claim he pushed the bell too late — and swore and used intimidating body language as he demanded the driver apologize.

Chu's behavior was widely condemned online and internet users used a "human flesh search" to identify him and publish information about him and his wife, who was also present during the incident. The practice of seeking out and shaming people who break the rules of social conduct is common in China, but is not seen so often in Taiwan.

When identified as the ranter, Chu initially defended his outburst as "protecting" his pregnant wife, and later threatened to sue the college student who posted the video online, but later decided not to do so.