Pyeongtaek City Launches Free Commuter Bus Service in Pyeongtaek Poseung (BIX) District

[Suwon Ilbo=Park Chan-hyuk] Starting from the 12th, Pyeongtaek City has officially begun operating free commuter buses for workers commuting to and from the industrial complex in the 'Pyeongtaek Poseung (BIX) District'.

This project is a provincial subsidy-supported initiative aimed at resolving transportation difficulties caused by insufficient public transit and improving workers' employment conditions while alleviating labor shortages at companies. Currently operating at Eoyeonhasan and Hyungok Industrial Complexes, the newly added routes are receiving positive responses from both users and companies.

The 'Pyeongtaek Poseung (BIX) District' industrial complex is located around Pyeongtaek Port, where public transportation accessibility is lower than in industrial complexes near urban areas. There are no direct bus routes and intervals between buses are long, causing significant inconvenience to workers. In particular, due to transportation costs and fatigue from long commutes, turnover rates have increased, and concerns about job seekers avoiding employment in industrial complexes and companies facing labor shortages continue.

The commuter bus routes operate with stops at only three locations—Pyeongtaek Station, Anjung Bus Terminal, and Pyeongtaek Poseung (BIX) Industrial Complex—for convenient and quick commutes. Buses operate once daily on weekdays (Monday to Friday), departing at 06:50 based on Pyeongtaek Station and returning at 17:20 based on the industrial complex, reflecting desired commute times by each company.

The industrial complex commuter bus is operated through cooperation between Pyeongtaek City and the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority. Any worker employed by a company located within the industrial complex can use the service for free. Details on specific routes and operating times can be confirmed through Pyeongtaek City Hall's Corporate Investment Division (031-8024-3441) and the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority's Planning and Administration Division (031-8008-8604).

Meanwhile, the city plans to continue promoting industrial complex commuter bus operations next year by identifying actual ridership and conducting additional demand surveys to expand commuter bus routes and improve services.

Mayor Jung Jang-seon stated, "This commuter bus operation addresses a long-standing request from companies and workers in the industrial complex, and is expected to help both companies and the region by resolving practical transportation difficulties in commuting," adding, "In particular, we will continue to pursue diverse policies to ensure that western region commuter workers and companies are not left behind."