Gwangju City Takes Steps to Communicate Policies to Meet Citizens' Right to Know

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Gwangju City has launched policy communication initiatives to realize "hopeful change, happy city Gwangju."

Mayor Bang Se-hwan directly explained on the 26th through online policy communication innovative and systematic public transportation policies to prepare for a 30-minute commute zone in the capital region and a city with 500,000 population.

Regarding railway policy, Mayor Bang said that the Suseo-Gwangju Line, scheduled for completion in 2030 with the goal of leaping into the "2030 Railway Era," is progressing smoothly. He noted that the city is collaborating with Seongnam and Yongin cities to jointly petition for swift promotion of the Wiryeseong-Samdong Line and extension of the Gyeonggang Line. He added that the Pangyo-Opo Line has been reflected in Gyeonggi Province's urban railway network construction plan (draft) and is awaiting final decision from the central government.

Additionally, Mayor Bang said the city has completed bus route reorganization to create transfer conditions centered on railway stations. He reported that the city has established a local-and-trunk line system by living zone, built an organic transfer system with railway stations, and formulated a plan to integrate multi-line routes.

Among these, the introduction of a "demand-responsive transportation system" is highlighted as the core of bus policy. The city opened a metropolitan call bus operating on the Sinhyeon-dong to Yangjae-dong, Seoul route, launched the "ddock bus" in June in the Gonjiam and Docheok areas, which are underserved by public transportation, and expanded to Cholyeol, Tuichon, and Namjong in July.

Regarding taxi policy to supplement public transportation, Mayor Bang said the city has responded to the problem of insufficient taxi supply by leading the central government's revision of guidelines, and increased a total of 89 taxis over five years. He announced the city will resolve blind spots in public transportation, expand transportation services during emergencies and late-night hours, and on the basis of the fifth taxi business district capacity cap project in the second half of this year, provide more stable taxi services.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan said, "The success of city administration policies comes from citizens' interest and participation, and going forward, I will promote city administration that communicates with citizens on major city policies and always listens to citizens' voices."