Gyeonggi-do Launches 'Unmanned Ticket Vending Machines' for Airport Buses Exclusive to Arrivals at Incheon Airport

[Asia Economy (Uijeongbu) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province recently installed unmanned ticket vending machines exclusively for airport buses for arrivals at Incheon Airport. This measure aims to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among residents arriving from abroad.

Since the 28th of last month, Gyeonggi Province has been operating airport buses for asymptomatic residents arriving in the country and has set up a separate information desk to provide guidance on routes, ticketing, and boarding methods.

However, due to the increased demand for "contactless services" amid the COVID-19 situation, the unmanned ticket vending machines were installed this time.

There are six unmanned ticket vending machines in total, with three each at Incheon Airport Terminals 1 and 2. After selecting their city or county of residence, departure time, and seat, users can verify their identity by entering their resident registration number or passport number to receive a ticket.

When it is difficult to use a private vehicle from the key bus stop to home, the machines also have a function to reserve connecting transportation by city or county.

For elderly people or those with visual or hearing impairments who find it difficult to use the unmanned ticket vending machines, the information desks will continue to operate as before.

The province expects that installing the unmanned ticket vending machines will minimize contact and reduce the risk of infection.

A provincial official explained, "We will conduct a pilot operation of the unmanned ticket vending machines until the 27th, identify areas for improvement, and based on that, prepare plans to expand the operation of the unmanned ticket vending machines."

The airport buses exclusively for arrivals operated by the province run 61 times a day from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., traveling from Incheon Airport to 14 key bus stops in the Gyeonggi area.

Additionally, 31 cities and counties operate 109 connecting transportation vehicles such as official cars, call vans, and charter buses to assist passengers from the key bus stops to their homes. The information desks are equipped with Korean and English guidebooks and provide shared mobile phones for arrivals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.