Seocho-gu Creates New Bus Stops and Bays for Long-Distance Route 742 Bus Drivers' Rest

New Bus Stop at Seocho Station Seoripul Culture Plaza, Bus Bay Installation Secures Additional Stop Time to Guarantee Rest for Transport Workers... Improving Working Conditions Contributes to Stabilizing Route 742 Bus Operation and Enhances Public Transit Convenience for Residents

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Cho) has established a new bus stop (Seocho Station Seoripul Culture Plaza) and bus bay for long-distance route bus 742 drivers passing through Seocho-gu since last November, and has implemented additional stops.

Additionally, restrooms available for drivers during stop times are open and operated 24 hours a day.

Bus number 742 is the only city bus route connecting Dongjak-gu and Seocho-gu via the Seoripul Tunnel, and in January, Seoul City approved the route extension to Gyodae Station on lines 2 and 3.

With the route extension, the round-trip length increased to 57.9 km, and the total operation time extended to 260 minutes, worsening the working conditions of drivers, which led to continuous reports on the issue.

In response, Seocho-gu, in line with Seoul City's measures to improve drivers' working conditions, proposed to Seoul City and transportation companies the establishment of a new bus stop and bus bay in front of Seoripul Culture Plaza at Seocho Station so that 742 bus drivers could use the restroom and take short breaks. This was completed and began operation on May 11.

Through this measure, drivers can secure rest time and conveniently use restrooms, while passengers can board and alight more safely and comfortably.

Going forward, the district plans to seek ways to improve drivers' working conditions through continuous consultations with Seoul City and transportation companies, resolve conflicts caused by the route extension, and stabilize the operation of bus number 742.

Mayor Eunhee Cho stated, “The establishment of the Seoripul Culture Plaza bus stop and bus bay does not solve all issues related to city bus drivers' working conditions, but we proceeded quickly to at least protect their basic rights,” and added, “We will continue to strive to ensure the stable operation of route 742, the only mainline bus passing through the Seoripul Tunnel.”