Suwon City Successfully Holds Grand Forum to Address Bus Problems from Implementation of 52-Hour Workweek

[Suwon Ilbo=Kang Han-seo] A grand forum held by Suwon City on June 11 at the Convention Hall of Suwon Convention Center to seek solutions to bus problems stemming from the implementation of the 52-hour workweek is receiving praise for presenting a new paradigm in discussion culture where citizens directly seek problem-solving measures.

The forum, held under the theme of 'Bus Grand Forum 10 to 100,' brought together expert panelists including Bae Gyou-sik, president of the Korea Labor Institute, Kang Kyung-woo, professor of transport and logistics at Hanyang University, Min Man-gi, co-representative of the Green Transportation Movement, Lee Jang-ho, CEO of Gyeonggin Yeohaek, Jang Won-ho, chairman of the Gyeonggi Automobile Labor Union, and Mayor Yeom Tae-young of Suwon City, along with over 100 citizen panelists to discuss bus-related issues, providing a venue where citizens could directly seek problem-solving measures.

However, it was noted that there was disappointment due to the absence of officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Gyeonggi Province, who hold the keys to resolving bus issues.

The forum proceeded with citizen panelists asking questions and expert panelists providing answers. Citizens submitted questions and opinions through a KakaoTalk open chat room. Submitted opinions were displayed in real-time on large screens installed in the forum venue.

In response to the question "Why is the burden from implementing the 52-hour workweek being passed on to citizens?", Professor Kang Kyung-woo of Hanyang University said "Bus fare increases are not the best solution," and stated "Bus routes should be rationally adjusted, and transport workers should not demand the same wages (as when working excessive overtime)." He added "Citizens, transport workers, and bus companies must share the burden."

Professor Kang also said "Diverse discount systems targeting teenagers should be reviewed," and emphasized "measures must be prepared to reduce the burden."

A live vote was also held in the open chat room. The first live voting topic was "What is your opinion on Gyeonggi Province's decision to increase bus fares?"

A total of 133 people participated in the vote, with "an unfair measure passing the burden to residents" accounting for 53.4% (71 people) and "an unavoidable measure to prevent large-scale strikes" accounting for 46.3% (62 people).

Prior to the full-fledged discussion, the Suwon City Policy Research Institute released results of a bus-related survey targeting 602 bus-using citizens.

37.05% of respondents negatively evaluated the plan for bus fare increases, while positive evaluation stood at only 20.93%.

When the condition "bus operation safety and bus service levels improve" was added, the proportion agreeing to fare increases became higher than those disagreeing.

Regarding "agreement to fare increases if bus operation stability and service levels improve," 35.21% answered "positively" and 25.08% answered "negatively."

Additionally, 81.4% of respondents were aware of the implementation of the 52-hour workweek for local bus drivers. The most cited advantage of implementing the 52-hour workweek, according to citizen perception, was "improvement of working conditions for drivers" at 50.83%. The most frequently cited disadvantage was "financial support such as loss compensation" (44.52%).

The national bus union announced a strike on May 15, but withdrew and suspended the strike after Gyeonggi Province announced it would increase bus fares (200 won for city buses, 400 won for metropolitan buses). If fares are increased, bus fares in Gyeonggi Province will rise from 1,250 won to 1,450 won for city buses and from 2,400 won to 2,800 won for metropolitan buses.

Mayor Yeom Tae-young said in his opening remarks "While bus issues are directly related to citizens' daily lives, I regretted that citizen voices were not reflected in the policy-making process," and stated "By listening to citizen opinions, we will find the right direction to resolve bus issues."

He added "It is regrettable that officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Gyeonggi Province did not participate in the discussion, but I will definitely convey the voices of citizens that emerge from today's forum."

Meanwhile, the government excluded "local buses" from industries with special exemptions that do not limit working hours last March. Bus companies with 300 or more employees must apply the 52-hour workweek from July 1, and when the 52-hour workweek is implemented, it is expected that a shortage of 425 bus drivers will occur in Suwon City alone.