Be Careful of Bus-Only Lanes During Seol Holiday

Extended Enforcement on Gyeongbu Expressway Until 1 AM

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 18th that during the Lunar New Year holiday, the enforcement hours for the bus-only lane from the southern end of Hannam Bridge to Yangjae IC on the Gyeongbu Expressway will be extended from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The operation hours of the bus-only lane on the Gyeongbu Expressway are normally from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., but during the Lunar New Year holiday period, they will be extended from 7 a.m. on the 20th to 1 a.m. on the 25th.

Fines for violations of the bus-only lane on the Gyeongbu Expressway can be imposed based on the number of times detected by four cameras on the southbound side and three cameras on the northbound side, so drivers are urged to exercise special caution. According to the Road Traffic Act, the highway bus-only lane is designated for vehicles with at least six passengers in a vehicle with nine or more seats. Violations will result in fines of 50,000 KRW for passenger cars and 60,000 KRW for vans. There are a total of seven enforcement cameras on the Gyeongbu Expressway: southbound (Banpo IC, Seocho IC, Seocho IC entrance, Yangjae IC) and northbound (Yangjae IC, Seocho IC, Banpo IC). If caught, fines will be imposed on the driver for each violation due to their responsibility.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to inform drivers about the extension of bus-only lane enforcement hours using expressway electronic signboards and roadside signs.

In particular, cases occur where drivers accidentally enter the bus-only lane and get fined. Since fines are imposed not only by unmanned cameras but also by citizen reports, drivers’ attention is required.

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Seoul City Urban Transportation Office, stated, “This Lunar New Year holiday is expected to see the highest movement of returning vehicles since COVID-19, so drivers’ compliance is even more essential for safe driving and smooth traffic flow.” He added, “We ask for the active participation of all citizens to ensure a safe journey home and back without violating the bus-only lanes.”