Osan City Introduces Four Eco-Friendly Two-Story Electric Low-Floor Buses on Route 5300
Osan City announced on the 21st that it will introduce four eco-friendly two-story electric low-floor buses to metropolitan bus Route 5300, which operates between Osan City and Seoul's Gangnam area, beginning in September.
Mayor Jo Yong-ho met with officials including Lee Jong-gyu, Executive Director of Yongnam Express, the operator of Route 5300, at City Hall this afternoon and urged smooth deployment of the eco-friendly two-story buses. He also proposed continued consultations regarding the issue of increasing metropolitan buses to Seoul.
According to the city, Route 5300 is a metropolitan bus connecting Shinnonhyeon Station (Shinbundang Line, Line 9), Gangnam Station (Shinbundang Line, Line 2), and Yangjae Station (Shinbundang Line, Line 3) in Seoul. The route is one of the essential commute lines for citizens traveling to Seoul, but has faced continued demands for additional buses due to crowding during peak commute hours.
In response, the city decided to introduce eco-friendly two-story buses as a replacement for aging single-story buses that have reached the end of their service life and has been pushing forward with the initiative. As of August, seven of the total 15 buses have been operating as eco-friendly two-story buses, but with an additional four being deployed, 11 eco-friendly two-story buses will operate, which is expected to significantly strengthen transportation capacity. Since eco-friendly two-story buses can transport 1.6 times more passengers at once compared to single-story buses, they provide the equivalent effect of adding approximately two buses compared to existing single-story buses.
Additionally, the introduction of eco-friendly two-story buses is expected to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions in the public transportation sector, contributing to improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions. Improved accessibility for transportation-disadvantaged groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly is also anticipated through the operation of low-floor buses.
Mayor Jo Yong-ho stated, "The introduction of eco-friendly two-story buses this time is expected to enhance citizens' mobility convenience and help reduce overcrowding during peak commute hours. Moving forward, we will actively promote citizen-centered eco-friendly public transportation policies to create a safer and more convenient metropolitan transportation environment."