Jeon Nam-do Councilor Na Gwang-guk: "COVID Support Needed for Public Bus Industry Facing Extinction Crisis"

Passenger Decline and Financial Deterioration Lead to Reduced Service... Continued Inconvenience for Transportation-Disadvantaged Groups

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Concerns have been raised that support measures need to be established for the bus industry in Jeonnam, which is facing a crisis of collapse due to a decline in passengers and sales caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

At the 342nd 1st Regular Safety, Construction, and Fire Committee meeting, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member Na Gwang-guk stated, “The financial deterioration of the bus industry caused by COVID-19 has led to a reduction in bus operations, increasing inconvenience for residents,” and added, “Jeonnam Province must seek support measures for the local bus industry, which is on the brink of collapse.”

According to the Jeonnam Bus Transportation Association, bus companies in the Jeonnam region have been directly hit in sales due to a decrease in passengers caused by COVID-19.

Intercity bus sales decreased by 35% to 40% in February, 65% in March, 60% in April, and 50% in May compared to last year.

The complete closure of elementary, middle, and high schools, which eliminated student bus usage, was a major cause of the sales decline.

Accordingly, bus companies implemented various measures such as reducing bus operations by 30% to cut labor and operating costs, but the worsening business conditions show no signs of improvement, directly causing inconvenience to residents using the buses, especially low-income citizens and transportation-vulnerable groups.

Assembly member Na Gwang-guk said, “Due to the financial deterioration of the bus industry, the number of daily operations for rural buses, mainly used by the elderly, students, and other transportation-vulnerable groups, has dropped to fewer than five times per day,” and urged, “Although there may be burdens due to funding and overlapping support, Jeonnam Province should consult with relevant ministries to prepare support measures for the bus industry for the sake of low-income citizens and transportation-vulnerable groups.”

Meanwhile, Jeonnam Province decided in March to provide local gift certificates worth 500,000 KRW per person to approximately 7,000 taxi drivers facing income reductions due to COVID-19 to stabilize their livelihoods.

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