"Rude XXa" Cheonan Bus Driver Insults and Abuses Female Passenger Who Got Off

A post uploaded on the Facebook online community on the 16th./Photo by Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] A controversy has arisen over allegations that a city bus driver in Cheonan, Chungnam, verbally abused a female passenger who was getting off because her bus card did not register.

On the 16th, a post titled "I erased the license plate and company name to avoid future legal issues" was uploaded on the Facebook online community '[Nachesa] I live in Cheonan·Asan.'

The author of the post, Mr. A, began by saying, "Looking for witnesses who rode Bus No. 12 bound for Booyoung at 6 p.m.," and claimed, "My bus card suddenly didn’t register, so I pressed the stop bell thinking I should get off at the next stop. But the bus driver suddenly got off and bluntly said, 'You rude X, if your card doesn’t register, you should apologize and get off, you XXX, report me if you want.'

Mr. A explained the situation, saying, "I boarded the bus at an awkward spot and held my bus card to the machine. However, due to an unknown error, the card did not register properly. I said, 'My bus card didn’t register, so I think I need to get off,' pressed the stop bell, and got off through the rear door at the next stop."

He added, "At that time, there were about 10 passengers on the bus, and a car was stopped right behind the bus. I had to endure verbal abuse for at least 2 to 3 minutes in front of many people."

He continued, "The driver who was hurling insults even pulled down his mask and continued the verbal abuse. I couldn’t respond properly because I thought he might resort to physical violence if I talked back."

Mr. A stated that he has filed complaints with Cheonan City Hall and the bus company and that the process is ongoing.

He explained, "The black box might have recorded the situation where I got off and the driver followed me off, but I’m not sure if the black box captured the shouting outside. The city hall and bus company said they would believe me more and identify the driver to take action."

Mr. A said he was contacted by the bus company the next day, on the 17th, and was told, "They identified which employee it was and said they would take disciplinary action and recommend resignation internally." He added, "The bus company asked me to refrain from leaking the video, but if it helps improve some of the chronic reckless driving, I am considering releasing the video."

He raised his voice, saying, "There is a procedure for viewing closed-circuit (CC) CCTV due to personal information protection laws. I will verify this issue accompanied by the police. I really hope reckless driving by some drivers in Cheonan is eradicated."

Meanwhile, complaints about city buses in Cheonan have been repeatedly reported. According to Cheonan City in October, a total of 321 complaints related to city buses were received by the end of September this year.

An official from Cheonan City Hall’s Public Transportation Division said, "When complaints arise, we request action from the bus company managers and drivers, and if the complainant wants an apology, we help convey that intention. If you specify the time the bus passed, we can track the bus. Administrative measures are also possible through internal bus footage and statements from transportation workers."

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