Songpa-gu Opens 3 Village Bus Routes... Jung-gu Urban Redevelopment Strategy Task Force Launched

[Seoul District News] Songpa-gu Confirms 3 Village Bus Routes (Songpa01, Songpa02, Songpa03), Plans Opening in December & Accepts Transport Operator Applications Until August 22, Selection Scheduled for September 1... Jungnang-gu Recruits Bicycle Traffic Safety Experience Participants... Yangcheon-gu Offers Free Vehicle Inspections for Chuseok... Jung-gu Forms Urban Redevelopment Strategy Task Force, Operates 3 Teams Focusing on Namsan Height Restrictions, Station Area Complex Opening, and Development Promises

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) is making every effort to promote the “Establishment of New Village Bus Routes in Songpa-gu,” aiming for opening in December this year.

Recently, due to changes in surrounding transportation conditions such as housing development projects like Ogeum Bogumjari Housing and Munjeong Legal Complex, the establishment of the Suseo High-Speed Rail (SRT) Station Transfer Center, and the extension and opening of Subway Line 9, bus demand has surged sharply.

Accordingly, Mayor Seo Gang-seok announced that to resolve residents’ inconveniences, the “Establishment of New Village Bus Routes” has been set as a pledge project of the 8th local government term, and efforts are being made to promote the early opening of village bus routes.

First, the district is recruiting transportation operators for three village bus routes within the area until August 22.

The village bus routes planned to operate in Songpa-gu are a total of three routes: Songpa Route 01 running from Ogeum-dong to Songpa 2-dong to Seokchon Station, Songpa Route 02 running from Jangji-dong to Munjeong Legal Complex to Suseo Station, and Songpa Route 03 circulating between Suseo Station and Samjeon Station.

Also, aiming for the opening of village bus routes within this year, various measures are being planned for the prompt promotion of the project, including ▲financial support for deficit routes ▲support for public institution-linked garages ▲installation of convenience facilities (such as BIT) at village bus stops.

The district expects that with the opening of the three village bus routes, ▲accessibility to transportation hub areas (subway stations) for residents of Ogeum and Munjeong housing development areas will improve ▲the transportation supply network between Samjeon, Munjeong, Jangji-dong, and the Suseo High-Speed Rail (SRT) Station Transfer Center will be expanded, making public transportation use more convenient for Songpa residents.

For detailed information on recruiting transportation operators, check the announcement section on the Songpa-gu Office website or inquire through the Songpa-gu Office Transportation Division.

Last year, the district finalized three village bus routes and recruited transportation operators, but due to decreased passenger demand caused by COVID-19 and operational deficits in the bus transportation industry, the recruitment failed, delaying the opening of the routes.

Mayor Seo Gang-seok of Songpa-gu said, “Residents have been very disappointed due to delays in establishing new village bus routes,” adding, “Since the expectations of local residents are very high, we will do our best to ensure that village bus routes are established early, and we will also work closely with Seoul City on other areas to improve the city bus route system in Songpa-gu and enhance convenience in public transportation use.”

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) is recruiting local residents to learn systematic bicycle riding at the Jungnangcheon Bicycle Traffic Safety Experience Center from this month until November.

As the number of residents using bicycles as a means of transportation increases, the district regularly recruits students in the first and second halves of the year to spread a safe bicycle use culture and prevent bicycle accidents.

The Jungnangcheon Bicycle Traffic Safety Experience Center is an outdoor training ground located between Jangan Bridge and Jangpyeong Bridge (727-24 Myeonmok-dong), consisting of a 2,400㎡ bicycle racing track and a 3,000㎡ bicycle experience area. Since its operation began in 2020, it has been favored as an educational space where about a thousand residents visit annually to practice bicycle riding in an environment similar to real situations.

The education includes both theory and practical lessons such as ▲adjusting the bicycle to fit the body ▲balancing ▲learning the correct riding posture ▲bicycle safety inspection and management methods ▲learning riding hand signals and safety signs ▲safety rules.

Especially during classes, protective gear such as helmets and knee pads are rented free of charge, allowing beginners or those not proficient to easily learn to ride a bicycle.

Anyone, whether an organization or individual wishing to participate, can apply for the bicycle class. Applications can be made through the Jungnang-gu Sports Council website or by visiting the experience center.

Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “I hope residents receive systematic education at the Bicycle Traffic Safety Experience Center to use bicycles safely and raise awareness of bicycle etiquette culture,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to foster a healthy sports culture so that residents can enjoy a lively and healthy daily life.”

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that it will provide free vehicle inspections at the Yangcheon-gu Office parking lot on September 4 to support safe driving for residents traveling home for Chuseok.

This free inspection is planned to check parts directly related to safety during long-distance driving on the way home and to prevent vehicle breakdowns and accidents caused by poor maintenance in advance.

Thirty volunteer members of the Seoul Automobile Professional Maintenance Business Association (CarPos) Yangcheon-gu branch will form three inspection teams and check about 300 passenger cars for engine oil and coolant levels, tire air pressure, battery and belt condition, and lighting device operation.

Minor issues will be handled on-site after inspection, and vehicles requiring detailed inspection will be provided with a checklist and detailed explanations so they can be serviced at specialized shops.

Additionally, consumable parts such as wipers and bulbs will be replaced free of charge during this inspection, and engine oil and washer fluid will also be replenished for free. Furthermore, the district’s Green Environment Division will form teams to measure exhaust emissions from inspected vehicles, contributing to improved air quality during the holiday season.

The Chuseok free inspection will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 4 at the first-floor parking lot of Yangcheon-gu Office. For detailed information about the inspection, contact the Transportation Administration Division.

Mayor Lee Gi-jae of Yangcheon-gu said, “I hope this Chuseok free vehicle inspection will help families have a safe and enjoyable journey home.”

Jung-gu (Mayor Kim Gil-seong) has rolled up its sleeves to resolve long-standing development demands and revitalize the deteriorated downtown area.

The district announced that from the 5th of this month, it has formed the 'Downtown Redevelopment Strategy Promotion Team' and started activities. The newly established Downtown Redevelopment Strategy Promotion Team is a task force directly under the mayor, responsible for major urban planning issues in Jung-gu during the 8th local government term, such as station area development, district unit plan redevelopment, and spatial rearrangement.

Above all, the team plans to focus on structuring systematic implementation of Mayor Kim Gil-seong’s development pledges, including easing Namsan height restrictions, high-density and mixed-use development along Dasan-ro (Yaksu-Cheonggu-Sindang), downtown re-creation of the Sewoon district, and comprehensive development of the double station area between Sindang Station and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station.

Additionally, the team will proactively study ways to utilize shared land and donated spaces created by the relocation of public facilities within the district, promote the complexification of living SOC (social overhead capital), and improve residents’ quality of life through the expansion of basic living infrastructure, thereby attracting people and revitalizing the local economy.

A notable point is the strengthening of communication. The promotion team has reinforced a part dedicated to resident communication and publicity, working alongside the downtown redevelopment planning and urban space planning teams to coordinate various redevelopment projects.

Accordingly, the district plans to regularly hold “visiting resident briefings” related to redevelopment and reconstruction and operate a “Resident Academy” to help residents easily understand the various existing downtown redevelopment methods and facilitate smooth project progress.

This is based on the judgment that insufficient accurate information for residents leads to unnecessary conflicts influenced by specific stakeholders, and the Resident Academy will be conducted on topics such as redevelopment, station area development, reconstruction/remodeling, and district unit plans.

Furthermore, Jung-gu intends to use the Downtown Redevelopment Strategy Promotion Team as a link to collaborate with Seoul City and related agencies to ease various urban regulations and inject growth vitality into stagnant areas.

Mayor Kim Gil-seong of Jung-gu said, “With the launch of the Downtown Redevelopment Strategy Promotion Team, we will systematically and wisely tackle the piled-up development issues in Jung-gu,” adding, “We will lift decades-old regulations and accelerate development to bring about urban changes that residents can feel.”