Commuter Bus Service Between Capital Region and Sejong Government Complex Suspended Since 2022

Improving Residential Conditions in Sejong City... Next Year, Route Reduction with Integrated Operation by Zones

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The commuter buses transporting government officials between the Seoul metropolitan area and the Government Sejong Complex will be completely discontinued after 10 years. Instead, additional commuter buses will be deployed in areas surrounding Sejong City.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Government Complex Management Headquarters announced on the 17th that among the Government Sejong Complex commuter bus routes, those serving Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon in the metropolitan area will be reduced and operated only until the end of next year, with operations ceasing from January 2022.

Currently, there are 33 routes operating an average of 38 commuter buses daily between the metropolitan area and the Sejong Complex. Starting next year, routes will be consolidated by region focusing on transit stations and transportation hubs, reducing operations by about 40% during a grace period, and from 2022, all metropolitan area routes will be discontinued.

However, commuter buses running from nearby areas such as Jochiwon, Daejeon, Cheongju, and Gongju to the Sejong Complex will maintain their current routes to support the residential needs of government officials, with adjustments and expansions made as necessary based on demand. Additionally, the number of commuter buses on the Osong Station route, where demand is expected to increase due to the reduction of other routes, will be increased.

The metropolitan area commuter buses to the Government Sejong Complex began operating with 53 buses in 2012 to support government officials living in the metropolitan area, and have been reduced by about 20% annually on average since then.

In Sejong City, where the Government Sejong Complex is located, residential and living facilities, transportation conditions, and educational, cultural, and welfare facilities, which were insufficient during the first phase of relocation of central government ministries such as the Ministry of Strategy and Finance in 2012, have been gradually expanded, significantly improving residential conditions. As relocations have proceeded in phases, the number of government officials moving in each year has increased, and as of April this year, about 90% of the 14,664 government officials (from 22 central ministries and 19 affiliated agencies) residing in the Sejong Complex and other ministries are understood to live in the Sejong area including Daejeon, Cheongju, and Gongju.

Jo So-yeon, head of the Government Complex Management Headquarters, stated, "While commuter buses have been operated to support government officials living in the metropolitan area, considering the improved residential conditions, operations will be discontinued from 2022," adding, "We ask for the understanding and cooperation of government officials in the tenant ministries so that working centered in Sejong can be firmly established."

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