Gyeongju City Caught in 'City Bus Subsidy Controversy'... "Ending Confusion with a Pan-Citizen Countermeasure Organization"

Mayor Ju Nak-yeong "Evaluate Appropriateness of Subsidy Calculation and Execution through Launch of Bus Policy Advisory Committee"

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-ho] Gyeongju City in Gyeongbuk announced on the 14th that it is promoting the formation of the 'City Bus Policy Advisory Committee' as a pan-citizen countermeasure organization to ensure transparency in the execution of subsidies.

This is intended to not only quell the ongoing controversies surrounding city bus subsidies but also to take a step further in securing transparency in the execution of city bus subsidies.

Gyeongju City has conducted an annual 'City Bus Company Management Analysis and Transportation Cost Calculation Actual Operation Survey' through external professional agencies and has provided financial support based on the results.

However, due to a decrease in passengers caused by population decline and aging, while city bus subsidies have increased every year, bus company executives have been criticized for high salaries and excessive cost expenditures, which only fuels public distrust.

In this regard, Gyeongju City announced on the same day its policy to "launch a pan-citizen countermeasure organization and prepare drastic measures."

First, to establish policies in the urban transportation sector, based on the 'Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of the Gyeongju City Comprehensive Transportation Development Committee,' a 'City Bus Policy Verification Subcommittee' composed of certified public accountants and transportation experts will be formed to prioritize urgent issues.

Following the completion of administrative procedures, the ordinance will be submitted to the council, and the so-called 'Gyeongju City Bus Policy Advisory Committee,' a public-private joint consultative body, is planned to be launched as early as the beginning of next year.

Mayor Joo Nak-young emphasized, "Through the launch of the Bus Policy Advisory Committee, Gyeongju City will evaluate the appropriateness of the calculation and execution of financial support subsidies for city buses and create a practical pan-citizen countermeasure organization that can advise on overall bus policies as public transportation, putting an end to the recurring confusion over city bus subsidies."

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