Gyeonggi Province Implements Special Traffic Measures for Lunar New Year Holiday

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gapdong] Gyeonggi Province announced on January 22 that it will designate January 24 to February 2 as the "2024 Lunar New Year Holiday Special Traffic Measures Period" and implement special traffic measures for the holiday return migration.

First, for intercity buses, 88 additional buses will be deployed across 44 routes in five regional zones, and the number of operations will be increased by 138 trips. City and village buses will be operated flexibly, such as extending operations by one hour according to the actual circumstances of each city and county as needed. Urban railways, including the Hanam Line, Line 7 (Bucheon section), and Byeolnae Line, will provide late-night extended service until 2 a.m. the next day for two days from January 29 to 30, the Uijeongbu Light Rail Transit until 1:45 a.m. the next day, and Gimpo Urban Railway until 3 a.m. the next day.

Congestion information and tollgate access control information for chronic congestion sections on major expressways and national highways will be provided in real-time through road variable message signs (VMS) to distribute traffic. Accordingly, five major routes—Gyeongbu, Yeongdong, and West Coast expressways—will provide guidance on 12 alternative road sections when congestion occurs, and eight national highway routes—National Routes 1, 3, 39, and others—will provide guidance on 13 alternative road sections in the surrounding areas.

The province will establish an emergency contact system between relevant agencies centered on a special traffic measures control room consisting of two teams and 60 personnel during this special measures period.

Additionally, through the Gyeonggi Traffic Information Center website (gits.gg.go.kr), mobile app (Gyeonggi Traffic Information), and traffic information phone line (1688-9090), the province will provide information on congestion status on major roads in the province, fastest route guidance, and information on traffic incidents (accidents, restricted areas).

Operation information for city buses, intercity buses, and village buses in the province will be provided through the Gyeonggi Bus Information System mobile app (Gyeonggi Bus Information), internet (www.gbis.go.kr), and automated phone service (1688-8031).

To ensure convenient mobility and safe operations for returning travelers, the province will carry out maintenance of poor road surfaces and road signs and facilities, and will establish a provincial-municipal emergency road repair system to prepare for road subsidence and damage with plans to respond promptly.

Additionally, the province plans to work with municipal governments, bus transit business associations, and bus terminals to conduct inspection activities during the holiday period to establish transportation order and secure services, such as adherence to schedules, prevention of refusal of boarding, and prohibition of soliciting passengers.

Park No-geuk, Director of the Provincial Transportation Bureau, stated, "We will do our best to implement traffic measures so that residents can spend a comfortable and safe Lunar New Year holiday," and urged, "Please actively participate in safe driving and compliance with traffic laws to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday."