Kim Dongyeon to Implement "Increased Buses, Emergency Funding, and Free Fares" in Response to Seoul Bus Strike

Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, announced on January 13 that, in response to the Seoul city bus strike, the province will temporarily increase the number and frequency of buses on similar routes and mobilize as many spare city buses as possible. He also promised that, if the strike is prolonged, Gyeonggi Province will provide emergency funds to support chartered buses in cities and counties, deploy government-owned buses, and actively consider making fares free on 128 public bus routes.

Governor Kim made these remarks to reporters at Hwayeong Transportation in Gwangmyeong after completing a local economic site tour in the area. He said, "Today, due to the Seoul city bus strike, our residents experienced inconveniences during their commutes. Gyeonggi Province convened an emergency meeting of deputy heads of local governments, chaired by the Second Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs, to establish urgent transportation measures and minimize inconvenience for our residents."

He continued, "Gyeonggi Province has established two main emergency transportation measures. The first is a set of short-term actions that can be implemented immediately, such as significantly increasing the number and frequency of buses on Gyeonggi routes similar to those affected by the Seoul city strike, in order to minimize inconvenience."

Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province

He also emphasized, "At the same time, we will increase the frequency of village buses and mobilize as many spare city buses as possible."

Furthermore, he added, "Second, if the strike continues for several days, Gyeonggi Province will provide budget support for city and county chartered buses through emergency funds and deploy government-owned buses. At the same time, we will actively consider making fares free on 128 public bus routes."

Governor Kim stated, "Gyeonggi Province will make every effort to minimize transportation inconveniences for our residents, including their commutes, by mobilizing all available alternative means. I also urge the Seoul bus union to quickly reach a resolution in the spirit of compromise and concession, considering the various inconveniences being caused for the public."