Two New Shuttle Buses for Transportation-Disadvantaged Replaced, Official Operation Starts from 24th... Wheelchair Boarding Devices Installed, No Steps at Doors for Easy Boarding and Alighting
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) announced that it will replace two free shuttle buses for transportation-vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women who have difficulty using public transportation with new vehicles, and officially start operation from the 24th.
The existing vehicles purchased in 2009 were frequently breaking down due to aging, causing disruptions in vehicle operation. Additionally, the high-floor bus structure made boarding and alighting with wheelchair lifts time-consuming and inconvenient for elderly passengers.
The newly purchased vehicles are ultra-low-floor buses that can accommodate 22 seated passengers and 2 wheelchair passengers. A wheelchair boarding device is installed at the middle door, allowing disabled passengers to use it conveniently without assistance from others. The absence of steps at the entrance ensures safe boarding and alighting for transportation-vulnerable groups such as the elderly and pregnant women.
Since 2000, the district has operated two free shuttle buses for transportation-vulnerable groups, running four times a day on two routes. Bus No. 2 departs from Yurinwon Plaza Disabled Welfare Center and passes through 36 stops including Yangwon Station, Jungnang-gu Office, Junghwa Station, and Seoul Metropolitan Northern Disabled Welfare Center. Bus No. 4 passes through 42 stops including Hwarangdae Station, Wonkwang Disabled Comprehensive Welfare Center, Sangbong Station, Jungnang Senior Welfare Center, and Myeonmok Station. These routes run east-west and north-south, covering welfare facilities and major subway stations in the area. Last year, an average of 140 people used the service daily, showing high demand.
Before the official operation, on the 23rd, a free shuttle bus test ride event was held with about 30 participants including Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu, heads of local comprehensive welfare centers, disabled users, and residents.
One of the attendees said with a smile, “I’m very happy because I can ride alone without anyone’s help. I want to use it more often from now on.”
The district has signed agreements with six repair shops for wheelchairs and electric scooters to support repair costs for mobility devices of disabled people with mobility difficulties, helping to reduce their economic burden and improve convenience in daily life.
Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “We will continuously improve operating conditions such as maintaining the areas around bus stops so that people can conveniently use the shuttle buses,” and added, “We will continue to promote various projects to enhance mobility convenience for transportation-vulnerable groups and provide opportunities for social participation.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
