Gyeonggi Province Implements Special Transportation Measures for Lunar New Year Holiday

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 30th that it will designate February 8-12 as the "2024 Lunar New Year Holiday Special Transportation Measures Period" and implement special transportation measures for the homecoming rush.

First, for intercity buses, 93 vehicles across 44 routes in 5 regions will be added, with 149 additional trips scheduled. City buses and village buses will operate flexibly according to the circumstances of each city and county, such as extending operations by one hour when necessary. For airport buses, 8 routes will see 16 additional daily trips operating in express service between major transit hubs within the province and Incheon Airport, aiming to address service gaps during late-night hours for airport users. The Hanam Line and Line 7 (Bucheon section) of the urban subway will operate extended late-night service until 2 a.m. the next day on February 10-11, while the Gimpo Light Rail Transit will extend service until 3 a.m. the next day.

Special transportation services will secure an average of 402 vehicles and 408 drivers per day to accommodate increased demand for disabled persons' mobility during the holiday period. This represents an increase of 55 vehicles and 52 drivers compared to previous holidays, and is expected to significantly improve transportation convenience for the mobility-impaired traveling to and from their hometowns via major train stations such as Seoul Station and Suseo Station.

Chronic traffic congestion sections on major expressways and national roads will provide detour information and entrance ramp control information through road electronic signs (VMS) in real-time to distribute traffic. Accordingly, the five expressway corridors of the Gyeongbu, Yeongdong, and West Coast expressways will guide detours through 12 surrounding sections when congestion occurs, while eight national road corridors including Routes 1, 3, and 39 will guide detours through 13 surrounding sections.

The province will establish an emergency contact system among related agencies centered on a special transportation measures situation room composed of 2 teams and 35 personnel during this special measures period.

Additionally, through the Gyeonggi Transportation Information Center website (gits.gg.go.kr), mobile apps (Gyeonggi Transportation Information), and transportation information hotline (1688-9090), the province will provide information on congestion status of major roads in the province, faster route guidance, and emergency alerts (traffic accidents, control zones).

Operating information for city buses, intercity buses, and village buses within the province will be provided through the Gyeonggi Bus Information System mobile app (Gyeonggi Bus Information), the internet (www.gbis.go.kr), and ARS (1688-8031).

To ensure convenient and safe travel for homebound travelers, road surface repairs and maintenance of road signs and facilities will be implemented. An emergency road recovery system will be established between the province and cities/counties to prepare for and respond promptly to road damage and deterioration.

Additionally, in coordination with cities and counties, bus transportation associations, and bus terminals, the province plans to conduct inspection activities during the holiday period to establish transportation order and secure services, including ensuring compliance with operation schedules, preventing refusal of passengers, and banning touting practices.

Kim Sang-soo, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Transportation Bureau, said, "We will do our best to implement smooth and safe transportation measures so that residents visiting their hometowns during the Lunar New Year holiday can safely celebrate the holiday," and urged, "We ask for your active participation in safe driving and the use of public transportation to spend a safe holiday without traffic accidents."