Seoul to Deploy Over 670 Shuttle Buses and Extend Last Subway Trains in Response to Bus Strike

Seoul City Bus Union Announces General Strike on the 13th
Subway Rush Hour Extended... Last Train Runs Until 2 a.m.
Districts to Operate Shuttle Buses Connecting to Subway Stations

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will implement emergency transportation measures in response to the city bus union strike scheduled for the 13th, including extending the last subway train and deploying over 670 free shuttle buses.

On January 12, the city announced that it would maintain a cooperative system with relevant agencies such as transportation operators, district offices, and the police, and mobilize all available personnel and transportation resources to respond to various situations as needed.

On the 28th, buses are parked at a bus depot in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Starting from the 13th and continuing until the strike ends, additional and extended public transportation services will be provided. Subway service will be increased by 172 runs per day to alleviate congestion and inconvenience during commuting hours. The main rush hour train operations will be extended by one hour, and the last subway trains will run until 2 a.m. the following day to support late-night travel.

Fifteen emergency standby trains will be prepared for immediate deployment in case of train delays or overcrowding. Order maintenance personnel will be stationed at major high-traffic stations such as Hongdae Entrance Station, Seoul Station, Jamsil Station, Sindorim Station, and Gangnam Station.

To connect with the subway during commuting hours, all 25 districts in Seoul will operate free shuttle buses. More than 670 private and public vehicles will be rapidly deployed to connect key points to subway stations in areas where city bus routes are suspended and village buses do not operate.

To disperse commuting demand in the event of a prolonged strike, the city plans to request public institutions and private companies within Seoul to adjust their work start times by one hour during the strike.

Yeo Jangkwon, Director of Transportation at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "We will mobilize every possible transportation resource to minimize inconvenience for citizens using public transportation," adding, "We hope for a smooth agreement between labor and management and will do our utmost to restore normal operations."