Wanju-gun to Pilot Village Bus Service in Soyang, Dongsang, Sanggwan, and Guimyeon Starting Next Month on the 3rd

Preliminary Measures Before Full Implementation Starting February 19

[Wanju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hanho] Wanju County announced on the 26th that starting February 3, village buses will be operated free of charge for two weeks on a trial basis in four areas: Soyang-myeon, Sang-gwan-myeon, Gui-myeon, and Dongsang-myeon.

This is a preliminary measure to minimize inconvenience to residents ahead of the implementation of the second phase of the village bus trunk line system scheduled for the 19th of the same month.

The introduction of the second phase village bus service targeting the four myeon areas will be operated as a public system directly managed by the county, similar to the first phase in the Iseo area.

Accordingly, Wanju County completed the purchase of village bus vehicles by the end of last year.

Additionally, turnaround points were established within the localities to allow city buses and village buses to turn around, and on the 17th, 33 drivers were newly appointed as public officials.

Wanju County plans to actively promote the installation of transfer convenience facilities such as semi-open-type bus shelters and heated seats in Soyang and Gui localities, and to deploy transfer assistants during peak hours for about a month.

Along with this, to reduce additional costs caused by transfers, a transportation card transfer system will be established that deducts only the additional amount (950 won) when transferring between village buses and city buses, ensuring no separate extra fare is charged.

Furthermore, to lessen the transportation cost burden for residents traveling from villages to localities, the village bus fare has been set at 500 won.

Wanju County will conduct a two-week trial operation starting February 3, officially operate the village buses from the 19th of the same month, and immediately carry out monitoring to focus on minimizing inconvenience to residents.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the trunk line system in Wanju County centers on city buses in Jeonju operating trunk routes between Jeonju city and eup/myeon localities, and Wanju village buses operating branch routes connecting eup/myeon localities and villages.

Wanju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hanho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr