[Asia Economy (Uijeongbu) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will introduce the 'Route Bidding-Type Semi-Public Operation System' for metropolitan buses nationwide for the first time on the 1st of next month.
The Route Bidding-Type Semi-Public Operation System is a method where bus routes are owned by the public (Gyeonggi Province) and bus companies are granted the right to operate the routes for a certain period through fair competitive bidding.
The province announced on the 18th that it will pilot metropolitan buses applying the Route Bidding-Type Semi-Public Operation System in seven cities and counties including Yangju and Yongin starting from the 1st of next month.
The province previously finalized 16 routes for the pilot introduction of the Route Bidding-Type Semi-Public Operation System. These routes include ▲ three routes in the 2nd phase new towns with insufficient metropolitan transportation ▲ six routes in small and medium-sized housing districts ▲ three routes considering underserved areas ▲ and four routes for non-profitable returns and cancellations.
The 2nd phase new town routes are Yangju Deokjeong Station to Sangbong Station, Hwaseong I-Park Apartment to Jamsil Station, and Paju Sannae Village to Hongdae Entrance Station.
The small and medium-sized housing district routes are Gwangju Terminal to COEX Trade Center, Guri Hanla Vivaldi Apartment to Jamsil Station, Uijeongbu Intercity Bus Terminal to Jamsil Station, Uiwang Jang-an Village to Yangjae Station, Gimpo Maesuri Village to Dangsan Station, and Siheung Neunggok Garage to Sadang Station.
The underserved area routes are Icheon Icheon Station to Jamsil Station, Yeoncheon Sintan-ri Station to Dobongsan Station, and Yangpyeong Yongmun Terminal to Gangbyeon Station.
The non-profitable return and cancellation routes are Yangju Deokjeong Garage to Beomgye Station, Yongin Dankook University to Yeouido, Gimpo Hosu Village to Dangsan Station, and Bucheon Songnae Station to KTX Gwangmyeong Station.
The province plans to introduce the bidding system on these routes and grant limited licenses that allow the respective bus companies to hold only the route operation rights for a certain period.
After an initial five-year contract, service evaluations will be conducted, and companies rated A, B, or C will be eligible for contract renewal. However, companies receiving a D rating will be excluded from renewal. Additionally, after nine years from the initial contract, all routes will be re-bid regardless of evaluations.
Along with the introduction of the Route Bidding-Type Semi-Public Operation System, the province will also establish a bus service management system including a Friendly Driver Certification System.
Through the Friendly Driver Certification System, bus drivers who receive certification will be given incentives, and vehicles with 41 seats or limousine-type vehicles will receive support for installing passenger convenience facilities such as public Wi-Fi, portable disk (USB) ports, and air purification filters.
A provincial official explained, "After evaluating the pilot routes in the first half of this year, if the response is positive, we plan to expand the Route Bidding-Type Semi-Public Operation System from 16 routes to 22 routes by the end of the year."
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