Hwaseong City to Deploy Additional Charter Buses to Ease Rush Hour Congestion on Inter-city Bus Routes

[Suwon Ilbo=Park Chan-hyuk] Following the amendment to the Road Traffic Act enforcement decree on December 20 of last year, which implemented a standing prohibition measure for inter-city buses, Hwaseong Special City is addressing citizen inconvenience by deploying additional charter buses on existing routes starting Monday, the 13th, as significant congestion has occurred during commuting hours.

The city notes that while the standing prohibition system for inter-city buses is an unavoidable measure for citizen safety, it has caused practical inconvenience for residents in the outlying areas of the Seoul metropolitan region. In particular, on inter-city bus routes M4108, 4108, M4403, and 4403, which operate from Dongtan 1 New City to major areas in Seoul, seats are already full at upstream bus stops, with citizens waiting at downstream stops repeatedly unable to board.

Accordingly, the city analyzed data on passengers unable to board and held ongoing consultations with the Metropolitan Area Rapid Transit Committee (MART). Starting from the 13th, it has decided to deploy one additional charter bus each on inter-city bus routes 4108 (heading to Seoul Station) and 4403 (heading to Gangnam Station).

The charter buses to be deployed will operate in a mid-route dispatch method, departing from the Metropolis (Center) bus stop during morning rush hours, and are expected to help alleviate boarding difficulties during peak congestion times.

Hwaseong Mayor Jung Myung-geun stated, "I hope the implementation of mid-route dispatch will improve inter-city transit convenience in the Dongtan area," and added, "Going forward, I will do my best to develop practical transportation measures so that citizens can use public transit more comfortably and smoothly."