Seoul City Councilor Song Aryang Adds 32 More 'Ddareungi Rental Stations' in Dobong-gu

In the First Half of 2020, 32 New Ddareungi Rental Stations and 364 Bicycles to Be Added...Public Bike 'Ddareungi' Expected to Improve Citizen Accessibility, Solving Traffic Congestion and Enhancing Public Health

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seoul's public bicycle rental stations for ‘Ddarungi’ are set to be additionally installed at 32 locations within Dobong-gu, including areas closely connected to public transportation such as Daiso Banghak Station branch and Ssangmun Station, as well as places frequently used by residents like the entrance of Darakwon Sports Park, Sindonga Apartment intersection, and Dobong-gu Community Center.

Since its launch in 2015, Seoul’s public bicycle system ‘Ddarungi’ operates as an unmanned rental system based on a smartphone app, allowing anyone aged 15 and above to use it regardless of gender or age. Song Aryang, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party, Dobong 4), has repeatedly criticized the near neglect in managing ‘Ddarungi’ and the disparities in rental station distribution between Gangnam and Gangbuk areas during several temporary and regular council sessions, demanding the establishment of reasonable management and operational plans.

In particular, she pointed out that Gangbuk areas like Dobong are neglected not only in public transportation infrastructure but also in bicycle-related policies, urging active correction.

Accordingly, in the first half of 2020, 32 new ‘Ddarungi’ rental stations will be installed within Dobong-gu, adding 364 bicycles. This will bring the total number of ‘Ddarungi’ rental stations in Dobong-gu to 65, with 760 docked bicycles.

Councilor Song Aryang expressed her welcome, saying, “By increasing accessibility and supply so that citizens can easily use ‘Ddarungi’ whenever they want, it is expected to solve traffic problems such as congestion caused by increased short-distance private car use, as well as contribute to citizens’ health improvement.”

She also emphasized, “In the second half of the year, we will select and install optimized rental station candidates that meet actual demand and regional characteristics.”

Councilor Song recalled the previously raised issue of unauthorized personal bicycle occupation at ‘Ddarungi’ rental stations, which caused inconvenience to users, and stated that she expects policy improvements for regular inspections by managers as well as the enhancement of voluntary citizen awareness to use ‘Ddarungi’ properly.

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