Osan-Gimpo Airport Limousine Bus Service Resumed

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyuk] The airport limousine bus service between Osan and Gimpo International Airport (hereinafter Gimpo Airport), which had been suspended due to passenger decline following the COVID-19 pandemic, has been revived as Route 8848 and resumed operations on the 20th at 11 a.m. at the Osan Station Transfer Center after 16 months.

The newly established Route 8848 airport bus operates between the Osan Station Transfer Center and Gimpo Airport. On weekdays, it departs from the Osan Station Transfer Center three times daily in both directions, from 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Starting from the Osan Station Transfer Center, the bus passes through a total of 5 stops, including 3 locations in the Osan area—Osan University Station rear exit and Jungmi Village entrance—and 2 locations in the Hwaseong area including Byeongjeom Commercial Center (Lotte Cinema) and Yedang Village Lotte Castle (Dongtan). The expected travel time from starting point to final destination is 90 minutes. In conjunction with the reopening, KD Transportation Group deployed new limousine buses on this route.

The route had been suspended in August of last year due to passenger decline following the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, citizens faced inconvenience, having to travel to Dongtan or Suwon or use private vehicles to reach Gimpo Airport. Requests from citizens for the revival of the service were consistently raised.

In relation to this, Osan Mayor Lee Kwon-jae visited KD Transportation Group's headquarters in July to request the reopening of the bus route and held negotiations, followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Osan-Gimpo Airport intercity bus service in November, culminating in today's opening. The reopening of this route is being evaluated as a notable example of Mayor Lee's proactive administration.

Meanwhile, an opening ceremony was held at the Osan Station Transfer Center at 4 p.m. on the day of opening. The event was attended by Osan Mayor Lee Kwon-jae, KD Transportation Group officials, and citizens—approximately 40 people in total—who celebrated the beginning of new transportation services.

Mayor Lee stated in his opening remarks, "The opening of this Gimpo Airport limousine bus service is one step in the process of resolving citizens' inconvenience and leading new changes in public transportation," and added, "We will carefully monitor future demand for this Gimpo Airport route and actively consider increasing the number of buses."