Gyeongnam Province Mobilizes Emergency Transport Measures on the 26th in Preparation for Bus Strike

213 Chartered Buses and 18 Official Vehicles Deployed, Emergency Transport Countermeasures Headquarters Operated

Requests for Cooperation Including Taxi Restrictions Lifted, Staggered Work Hours, and Adjusted School Commute Times

Buses that have been taken out of service at the public bus depot in Deokdong-dong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do is making every effort to respond to the strike announced by 13 intercity bus companies and 12 city and rural bus companies in 17 cities and counties on the 26th.

The National Bus Union demanded financial support, fare increases, and improvements in driver treatment from the government as bus companies' management deteriorated due to COVID-19.

On the 19th, following a union vote on collective refusal to operate, 13 intercity bus companies and 12 city and rural bus companies in seven cities and counties?Changwon, Uiryeong, Haman, Namhae, Hamyang, Geochang, and Hapcheon?are scheduled to stop operations from the first bus on the 26th.

On the morning of the 21st, Gyeongsangnam-do held a video conference with transportation department heads from cities and counties to review emergency transportation measures and established a countermeasure headquarters led by Heo Dongsik, Director of Urban Transportation Bureau of Gyeongsangnam-do, to operate and prevent inconvenience to residents.

The Emergency Transportation Countermeasure Headquarters consists of four teams: General, Transportation, Public Relations, and Field Support, responsible for ▲overall emergency situation management ▲maintaining cooperation with related organizations ▲managing emergency transportation vehicle operations ▲handling various complaints arising from the strike.

Cities and counties will also independently form and operate emergency transportation countermeasure headquarters for city and rural buses to respond to the strike.

The province plans to deploy 213 charter buses and 18 official vehicles, and based on the transportation demand in the strike-affected cities and counties, will lift taxi restrictions for about 2,800 taxis and request cooperation from related organizations and education offices for staggered commuting and adjusted school hours.

At major terminals, police and responsible officials will be assigned as emergency transportation guides to respond to any acts obstructing vehicle operations within the terminals.

Heo Dongsik, Director of the Urban Transportation Bureau, said, “We will actively persuade labor and management until the bus, a public transportation means, does not stop, but since this is a nationwide strike, we cannot guarantee normal operations and are preparing for any emergencies. We hope people check in advance on terminals or city and county websites to confirm bus operation status.”

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