The "Gyeongnam-style fully public bus system," under which the local government takes full responsibility for bus operations without charging fares, will be fully implemented in Uiryeong County, marking the first such initiative in Gyeongnam Province.
On February 27, Gyeongnam Province held a launch ceremony for the fully public bus system at the Uiryeong County public bus terminal, announcing the start of the county's public bus service, known as "Bbangbbang Bus," which embodies the slogan "Zero Fare, Full of Happiness."
The Gyeongnam-type bus full public operation system inauguration ceremony was held at the public bus terminal in Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
Uiryeong County, with a population of approximately 25,000, has faced the risk of reduced or discontinued bus routes due to the chronic losses experienced by private transportation companies.
In particular, as the area has a high proportion of seniors, buses serve as the only means of transportation connecting residents who cannot drive their own cars to hospitals, supermarkets, and the county center.
In response, Gyeongnam Province determined that buses, considered the "lifeline" of residents, should not be reduced or eliminated, and in February 2023 designated Uiryeong County as a pilot area for the fully public bus system.
Over the past three years, the provincial and county governments invested a total of 9.4 billion won to fully acquire the terminal building, buses, and route rights.
To provide thorough connections between the county center and remote villages, the province expanded routes and organically linked demand-responsive transport (DRT), which is a passenger call-based system, with "Bravo Taxi" services that operate in isolated and remote villages, thereby introducing the fully public system.
Through these efforts, the county has completely eliminated transportation blind spots previously unreachable by buses, created stable local jobs, and improved service quality.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is giving a congratulatory speech announcing the launch of the province's first fully public bus system in Uiryeong County. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
Governor Park Wansu stated, "Public transportation is the lifeline of ordinary citizens and the most fundamental aspect of transportation welfare," adding, "It is desirable for the administration to take responsibility, even if deficits occur."
He further explained, "Based on the belief that a quasi-public system should progress to a fully public system, we have joined forces with Uiryeong County to implement this initiative as the first in Gyeongnam Province."
Governor Park also said, "Once the fully public system is stably established, both the convenience for county residents and service quality will improve. We will actively support this model, which began in Uiryeong, to spread beyond Gyeongnam Province and nationwide."
With the implementation of this fully public system, all Uiryeong County residents can now use the "Bbangbbang Bus" free of charge.
At the launch ceremony, a representative of the newly hired bus drivers made a pledge for safe driving on behalf of all 28 time-selective term public officials employed under the public system.
Additionally, a performance was held in which the "Bbangbbang Bus" burst large balloons bearing messages such as "traffic accidents," "unfriendliness," and "route inconvenience," symbolizing a commitment to resolve existing transportation issues and ensure safe operations.
The province plans to further enhance the terminal's functions, utilizing it as a local community space and developing the public bus system as a "Gyeongnam-style transportation role model" linked to regional economic revitalization.
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