On December 10, one day before the nationwide indefinite general strike by the Korean Railway Workers' Union, the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government activated its emergency transportation system and began operating an emergency transportation countermeasures situation room.
The government and the railway union held negotiations focusing on the integration of Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) and SR Co., normalization of performance-based bonuses, full implementation of the four-group, two-shift system, and the recruitment of additional safety personnel. However, they ultimately failed to reach an agreement.
As a result, the railway union has announced that it will begin an indefinite general strike starting December 11.
The Gyeongsangnam-do government expects that train operations on the Gyeongjeon Line and Gyeongbu Line, operated by KORAIL, will decrease by 20 to 30 percent compared to normal levels.
However, it was reported that the Suseo-bound SRT high-speed trains operated by SR will continue to run as usual.
The provincial government stated that intercity and express buses are currently operating on routes such as Changwon-Seoul (58 times), Changwon-Daejeon (8 times), Jinju-Seoul (76 times), Jinju-Daejeon (7 times), Gimhae-Seoul (14 times), Yangsan-Seoul (9 times), and Yangsan-Daejeon (3 times). However, if a reduction in train operations due to the strike leads to a shortage of bus seats, 29 reserve vehicles will be immediately deployed as additional buses.
In addition, to ensure smooth logistics transportation, the province requested cooperation from the freight association so that freight transport companies and truck owners can deploy vehicles for alternative transportation, taking into account their cargo shipping plans.
The provincial government is encouraging the use of intercity and express buses, considering the possibility that reduced train operations may make train travel difficult. It also advised passengers to check train operation information in advance on the Let’s Korail website or the mobile app 'KORAIL Talk' before using train services.
Park Sungjun, Director of the Provincial Transportation and Construction Bureau, stated, "Until the strike ends, we will systematically operate the situation room and respond step by step according to the railway operation status by increasing express and intercity bus services and strengthening freight transport capacity, in order to minimize inconvenience to residents."
For further details regarding the railway strike, inquiries can be made to the emergency transportation countermeasures situation room.
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