Seoul City Activates 'Emergency Transport Measures' in Preparation for Seoul Metro Union Strike... Deployment of Replacement Personnel

Seoul City and Corporation Form Emergency Transport Headquarters to Implement Phased Emergency Transport Measures... "Supporting Normal Operation During Commute Hours"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 13th that, in response to the Seoul Metro Labor Union's planned strike starting at 5:30 a.m. on the 14th, it will establish an Emergency Transportation Countermeasures Headquarters to minimize inconvenience to citizens during the strike and begin its operation from 9 a.m. on the 14th.

The Emergency Transportation Countermeasures Headquarters will maintain close cooperation with related organizations such as Seoul Metro, Korail, bus companies, district offices, and the police until the strike ends, and will implement emergency transportation measures according to the strike situation.

Seoul's emergency transportation measures are divided into two phases to comprehensively consider the strike and traffic conditions and minimize citizen inconvenience: Phase 1 (D to D+6 days, 7 days) and Phase 2 (after D+7 days). Even if the Seoul Metro union goes on strike, Seoul plans to operate the subway at normal levels during commuting hours and run the subway at 72.6% to 79.8% of normal service during off-peak daytime hours when congestion is low.

Additionally, essential maintenance personnel, retirees, and subcontractor employees will be secured as substitute workers to maintain subway transportation functions. About 150 Seoul city employees will be assigned as station support staff to make every effort to minimize citizen inconvenience.

If the strike extends beyond eight days, considering the fatigue of personnel deployed for essential maintenance tasks, Seoul will reduce train operations during non-peak hours to 65.7% to 79.8% of normal levels to prevent safety accidents. Concurrently, measures to enhance alternative transportation capacity will be implemented. Seoul plans to mobilize all possible means to increase alternative transportation capacity, including ▲ extending concentrated dispatch during commuting hours by 60 minutes ▲ intensive management of operation status for 220 bus routes connecting subway stations and bus stops ▲ deployment of about 337 reserve city buses ▲ extending operating hours by one hour for 8 Daramswi bus routes ▲ lifting personal taxi restrictions.

Baek Ho, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, stated, "The subway is designated as an essential public service, so appropriate personnel will work even during the strike, meaning citizens will not experience inconvenience using the subway initially." He added, "If the strike prolongs beyond a week, considering workers' fatigue, subway operation rates will need to be further reduced, so we hope both labor and management will make concessions to quickly reach an agreement."

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