"The Reality That Wheelchair Users Cannot Board Express Buses Is Discrimination"

Gwangsan District Council: "Mobility Rights Are Fundamental Rights"
"Government, Local Authorities, and Transportation Companies Must Take Action"

The Gwangsan District Council has defined the current situation, in which wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on express buses, as "clear discrimination" and has called for comprehensive improvements to guarantee intercity mobility rights for people with disabilities.

On April 30, at the 296th extraordinary session's first plenary meeting, the Gwangsan District Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the guarantee of intercity mobility and accessibility rights for people with disabilities. This resolution was proposed by Councilor Han Yoonhee (Justice Party, Suwan, Hanam, Imgok-dong).

Han Yoonhee, Gwangsan District Councilor, Gwangju.

Han stated, "The right to mobility for people with disabilities is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution, yet structural discrimination persists in long-distance travel such as express bus use," urging institutional improvements.

The resolution pointed out that even at U-Square (Gwangju General Bus Terminal), a major transportation hub in Gwangju, conditions are insufficient for wheelchair users to independently board or disembark from express buses. In reality, there are virtually no express bus routes that accommodate wheelchair boarding.

Previously, in February, the Gwangju District Court ruled that operating express buses without wheelchair boarding facilities constitutes discrimination against people with disabilities. The court ordered transportation companies to take proactive measures to guarantee intercity mobility rights.

The Gwangsan District Council emphasized that for this ruling to be reflected in actual systems and policies, not only transportation companies but also the National Assembly, the government, and related agencies such as the Gwangju Metropolitan Government must act together.

In particular, the council demanded that Kumho Express, the operator of U-Square, immediately introduce express buses equipped with wheelchair boarding facilities. The council also called on the Gwangju Metropolitan Government to support policies by conducting a survey on the current status of transportation rights for people with disabilities, establishing a comprehensive plan, and securing the necessary budget.

Additionally, the council urged the National Assembly and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to mandate improvements to express bus facilities and to establish the legal and financial foundations to support these measures. This resolution will be officially delivered to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Gwangju Metropolitan Government, and district and county councils nationwide.