MOU Signed on the 7th Between Seoul Transportation Training Institute and [Partner]... Training Period Reduced from 15 to 5 Days, Priority Selection for Graduates, etc.
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) is taking proactive measures to alleviate residents' inconveniences caused by a shortage of village bus drivers and increased intervals between bus services due to reduced operation frequencies, as well as to assist the village bus industry with its manpower shortage.
The district announced that on the 7th, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Transportation Training Institute at Dongjak-gu Office, becoming the first autonomous district in Seoul to do so, to operate the "Dongjak-gu Village Bus Driver Training Program."
The signing ceremony was attended by Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, Ko Hong-seok, Director of the Seoul Transportation Training Institute, and officials from both organizations.
Under this agreement, the district will provide a free "Dongjak-gu Village Bus Driver Short-term Intensive Training" program at the Seoul Transportation Training Institute for residents who wish to become village bus drivers or those recommended by companies.
The "Dongjak-gu Village Bus Driver Short-term Intensive Training" is designed to enhance convenience for trainees by differing from other programs that run for 15 days and 120 hours in a boarding system. Instead, it allows commuting and focuses on practical training similar to actual driving conditions, conducted over 5 days and 40 hours.
In particular, upon completion of the training, graduates will be given priority selection and linked to immediate employment with local village bus companies, intensifying efforts to resolve the chronic manpower shortage issue.
This training course is scheduled to run from the end of this month through October, and detailed information can be obtained by contacting the Transportation Administration Division of Dongjak-gu Office.
The district has been considering ways to normalize local village bus companies facing operational difficulties and improve driver treatment, providing multifaceted support such as financial subsidies to help these companies become self-sustainable.
Since COVID-19, the number of village bus operations in the district has decreased, worsening the financial conditions of the companies. Currently, a total of 10 companies operate 21 village bus routes in Dongjak-gu.
Additionally, last month, Dongjak-gu signed a nationwide first MOU with Soongsil University and Lotte Data Communication to introduce "autonomous village buses," aiming to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous public transportation by designating pilot operation zones and building infrastructure within the district.
Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, stated, "This agreement will be an opportunity to resolve not only the manpower shortage in the local village bus industry but also the inconveniences faced by residents. We will continue to realize transportation welfare that enhances the quality of life for our citizens."
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