An elderly Taiwanese woman who went viral after a heated clash over a priority seat on the Taipei MRT has now been arrested by police just days after the incident.
What happened on the MRT
The drama first unfolded on Sept 29 when the 73-year-old woman boarded the Tamsui–Xinyi MRT line carrying several bags and an umbrella.
Despite empty seats being available nearby, she insisted that a younger commuter give up her priority seat. When she refused, she swung her bag at the latter multiple times.
The passenger, after enduring several hits, eventually lost her cool, stood up and kicked her across the train carriage.
The scuffle was caught on camera and quickly spread online, with netizens split between calling the elderly woman “entitled” and questioning whether it was right for the commuter to physically retaliate against an elderly person.
Police confirm her identity
Today at about 10am, Taipei police confirmed that the same woman was later involved in another disturbance at a convenience store in Datong District.
She was arrested on the spot and identified as the same elderly commuter from the viral MRT fight.
The Taipei MRT Police Department said they are reviewing CCTV footage and entry/exit card data to confirm both individuals’ details.
Under Taiwan’s Social Order Maintenance Act (Article 87), those found guilty of mutual fighting can face fines of up to NT$18,000 (≈ RM2,600 / USD 550).
Both the woman and the commuter are expected to be summoned for questioning.
Some netizens said this proves the woman is a repeat troublemaker, while others argued the younger commuter still went too far by kicking her.
