Threefold Increase in Passengers, 34-Minute Reduction in Waiting Time
Annual Budget Savings of 520 Million KRW
The transformation of public transportation in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Woo Seunghee) from fixed-route buses to call buses has resulted in a threefold increase in average daily passengers, a reduction in waiting time by 34 minutes, and annual budget savings of approximately 520 million KRW.
According to the county, on the 4th, the Hyundai Motor Company Shuttle Business Team and Yeongam-gun jointly released the "2024 Yeongam Call Bus Performance Report." The report was based on data accumulated from the operation of Yeongam Call Bus, as well as a user survey conducted in Samho-eup from January 9 to 19 this year.
In March last year, Yeongam-gun switched its bus system from two fixed routes to a demand-responsive call bus system with four vehicles, aiming to address issues such as increased intervals between buses, declining service quality, decreased ridership, and rising operational costs.
After nine months of operating the Yeongam Call Bus, by December last year, the average daily number of bus passengers increased from 115 (in 2022) to around 360, nearly tripling. Previously, passengers had to wait 1 to 1.5 hours if they missed the scheduled bus, but with the Yeongam Call Bus, the average waiting time was reduced by 34 minutes, as the bus now arrives within an average of 26 minutes after being called.
The annual fixed-route bus operating cost of 1.68 billion KRW was reduced to 1.16 billion KRW after the introduction of the Yeongam Call Bus, resulting in budget savings of 520 million KRW. In addition to these statistical effects, Yeongam Call Bus users expressed satisfaction in the survey.
In the "Overall Satisfaction with Yeongam Call Bus" category, 41% of users indicated they were "very satisfied," and 79% reported satisfaction above average. The aspects users were most satisfied with included fare and driver friendliness (25% each), as well as the designated seating system and punctuality of departure and arrival times (10% each).
The main reasons for using the Yeongam Call Bus were commuting to and from work or school, accounting for 33% each and totaling 66%, while attending private academies accounted for 11%. This is further supported by the age distribution of passengers, with 29% in their teens and 23% in their twenties, proving that Yeongam Call Bus is gaining attention as a means of commuting and school transportation.
Some issues with the Yeongam Call Bus were also pointed out. The inability to get a ride (34%), long waiting times (24%), and changes in route or arrival time due to ride-sharing (13%) were cited as areas needing improvement. Yeongam-gun plans to continue providing optimized mobility solutions based on real-time demand analysis.
Governor Woo Seunghee emphasized, "The Yeongam Call Bus is more than just a means of transportation; it is an important tool for improving the quality of life for rural residents and revitalizing the local economy. We will continue our efforts to innovate for a more convenient, faster, and more satisfying public transportation system."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
