Seoul City Increases Express and Intercity Bus Services During Lunar New Year Holiday

Increase of 5 Terminals Over 8 Days, Transporting 80,000 Passengers Daily

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of January, the number of express and intercity buses departing from Seoul will be increased to support citizens traveling to and from their hometowns.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 10th that it has prepared the "2023 Lunar New Year Holiday Terminal Operation Plan" and established measures to increase bus operations and ensure terminal facility safety during the holiday period. Since regional travel and trips to and from hometowns are expected to increase this year, the scale of operations will be significantly expanded to enhance convenience for citizens using public transportation during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The increased operations will be carried out for eight days from the 18th to the 25th, starting three days before the holiday. There are five express bus terminals in Seoul: ▲Seoul Express Bus Terminal ▲Central City Terminal ▲Dong Seoul Terminal ▲Seoul Nambu Terminal ▲Sangbong Terminal. Compared to normal times, the number of daily operations will increase by 704 trips (21%), and the number of passengers will increase by about 21,000 (36%), transporting approximately 80,000 passengers.

Compared to normal times, the increase in operations includes 2,593 buses (435 buses, 20%↑), 4,054 trips (704 trips, 21%↑), and 80,204 passengers (21,221 passengers, 36%↑). Unlike last year, when travel was discouraged due to COVID-19, the number of travelers is expected to increase this year, so the number of passengers transported has been expanded by about 23% compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, to ensure safe and convenient use of terminals despite COVID-19, disinfection and facility inspections will be conducted. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, the condition of each facility such as ticket booths, waiting rooms, and restrooms, as well as compliance with daily quarantine measures like mask-wearing, will be monitored. For safety management, inspections will also cover facility damage, pavement damage, and the condition of safety facilities.

Additionally, joint safety inspections of facilities will be conducted at the five terminals before the holiday, and a traffic control center will be operated during the holiday period to monitor traffic conditions on the way to hometowns.

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, stated, "With the Lunar New Year holiday arriving earlier than usual and active regional travel expected, we are doing our best to proactively provide convenience for citizens' travel starting before the holiday." He added, "We ask that when using transportation, everyone strictly follow daily quarantine rules such as wearing masks."