Gwangju City Implements Special Traffic Measures for Chuseok Holiday

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 25th that it will implement special transportation measures focusing on COVID-19 prevention and convenience for returning visitors during the Chuseok holiday period.

According to the special transportation measures, disinfection will be strengthened at multi-use facilities such as buses (city, village), taxis, subways, and Gwangcheon Terminal to prevent COVID-19.

Additionally, from the 11th of last month until the 4th of next month, intensive inspections are being conducted on disinfection status at multi-use facilities including buses (city, village), taxis, subways, terminals, Gwangju Songjeong Station, and the airport, as well as mandatory mask-wearing by facility users, disinfection before and after vehicle operation, and compliance with quarantine rules by transportation workers.

Along with this, to enhance convenience for returning visitors and citizens using public transportation, city buses heading toward Gwangcheon Terminal and the municipal cemetery will be increased in operation.

On the day of the Chuseok holiday, the ‘518’ city bus route from Sangmu District to Gwangju General Bus Terminal to Yeongnak Park, which experiences heavy traffic from returning visitors and grave visitors, will be increased from 40 to 88 trips daily, adding 48 trips. The ‘Jiwon 15’ city bus operating between Hyoryeong Senior Welfare Town and Wollam-dong will partially change its route to pass through Yeongnak Park, and the ‘Yongjeon 86’ bus, which terminates at Hyoryeong Senior Welfare Town, will be extended to Yeongnak Park.

As the government controls access to the 5.18 National Cemetery and its affiliated parking lot to prevent COVID-19 during this Chuseok holiday, about 80 city and district officials, police officers, and model drivers will manage traffic and enforce parking regulations in the congested areas around the national and municipal cemeteries and surrounding roads. Additionally, about 350 related officials will be deployed at Gwangcheon Terminal, Gwangju Songjeong Station, Malbau Market, and other locations to strengthen administrative guidance to prevent traffic congestion.

The subway will also operate extended hours only on the day before the holiday, the 29th, running one additional trip each toward Sotae and Pyeongdong directions (a total of 2 trips) until 12:47 AM.

Furthermore, traffic conditions will be continuously announced via electronic signboards on highways and throughout the city, and real-time traffic information will be provided using CCTV data analyzed by the Traffic Information Center. Traffic police officers will be concentrated at major IC entrances and exits (Gwangsan, Sanwol, Dongnim, Seogwangju, Yongbong, Donggwangju, Munheung) where congestion is expected to encourage traffic dispersion.

Park Gap-su, head of the city’s Transportation Policy Division, said, “Although the number of returning visitors and grave visitors is expected to decrease compared to previous years due to COVID-19, we ask that people follow quarantine rules such as wearing masks and social distancing when using public transportation and take detours around congested areas.” He added, “In particular, we hope everyone drives safely to ensure a holiday free of traffic accidents.”

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