Seocho-gu Umyeonsan Tunnel Two-Way Bus Operation Starts... Resolving 10-Year Resident Wish

[Seoul District News] Bus No. 4435 Operating Bidirectionally on Umyeonsan Tunnel Section from Umyeon-dong to Gyodae Station Starting the 21st & Travel Time on Existing Umyeon-dong to Gyodae Station Section Reduced from About 40-50 Minutes to 10-15 Minutes ... Dongdaemun-gu Encourages Installation of Electric Vehicle Facilities for at Least 15% of Total Parking Spaces upon Approval of Maintenance Project Implementation Plan

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “It used to take me 30 to 40 minutes to get home from a 10-minute distance, which was very exhausting, but now it feels like a decade-old congestion has been completely cleared. I am so happy that a round-trip bus through the Umyeonsan Tunnel, which quickly goes from Umyeon-dong to Seocho-dong, has been established in this transportation-disadvantaged area.”

Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced that the 4435 branch bus, operating bidirectionally through the Umyeonsan Tunnel on the ‘Umyeon-dong~Gyodae Station’ route, will start service from the 21st.

Since 2012, a bus operating one-way from Umyeon-dong to Seocho-dong via the Umyeonsan Tunnel has been in service, but there was no route in the opposite direction. Many residents requested the establishment of a route operating bidirectionally through the Umyeonsan Tunnel. Because detouring required 40 to 50 minutes with one or two transfers for a distance that would take about 10 to 15 minutes via the tunnel, students and workers in Umyeon-dong experienced significant inconvenience.

The authority to decide bus routes lies with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The district has continuously strived for the establishment of a bidirectional bus route through the Umyeonsan Tunnel over the past 10 years. In 2019, a bidirectional route adjustment proposal was submitted to the Seoul City Route Adjustment Committee but was ultimately rejected, putting the plan at risk of cancellation.

The district did not give up. It monitored traffic conditions, clearly organized the necessity of the new route, and conveyed it to Seoul City. Since then, it has persistently and strongly requested the establishment of the route.

In particular, Seocho-gu Mayor Jeon Seong-su, together with Seoul City Councilor Choi Ho-jeong, directly listened to residents’ opinions and met with Seoul city officials to request improvements to the poor public transportation environment in Umyeon-dong and the establishment of the bus route. The realization of the bidirectional operation through the Umyeonsan Tunnel was the result of these comprehensive efforts.

The 4435 bus will operate bidirectionally from the 21st on the ‘Gaepo-dong~Yangjae Station~Umyeon-dong~Umyeonsan Tunnel~Seocho Station·Gyodae Station’ route. The first and last buses run at 4:20 AM and 11:30 PM, respectively.

Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “Even after the bus service starts, we will continue to monitor and work closely with Seoul City to ensure there are no inconveniences for users and to make improvements.”

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) is proactively responding to the increasing demand for electric vehicles by expanding the necessary infrastructure.

According to a recent survey by Seoul City, the biggest obstacle to purchasing electric vehicles was identified as the lack of charging facilities.

The district plans to establish systems to expand infrastructure to promote the use of eco-friendly electric vehicles, which can reduce greenhouse gases and fine dust, and to ensure user convenience.

It plans to encourage the installation of electric vehicle-exclusive parking spaces and charging facilities accounting for at least 15% of the total parking spaces in reconstruction and redevelopment projects. This is a higher figure than the legal standard of at least 5% of total parking spaces. Additionally, it plans to ensure that electrical capacity can accommodate at least 50% of the total parking spaces.

Accordingly, at the stage of project implementation plan approval for reconstruction and redevelopment projects, which generally have longer project periods, the district will impose approval conditions to additionally expand electric vehicle infrastructure (exclusive parking spaces, charging facilities, electrical capacity) in 21 zones. For 9 zones where project implementation plans have already been approved and construction started, a meeting with stakeholders will be held on the 3rd to recommend further expansion of eco-friendly vehicle infrastructure, proactively preparing for future residents’ demand.

According to the 4th Mid-to-Long-Term Basic Plan for Eco-Friendly Vehicle Development and Supply (2021-2025) announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (February 2021), the mandatory installation rate of chargers in new buildings will be expanded to 10% by 2025. Also, according to the ‘Environmental Impact Assessment Items and Review Standards for Buildings and Maintenance Projects (Redevelopment and Reconstruction) (Guidelines for Drafting Environmental Impact Assessment Reports)’, the mandatory rates will be expanded from 10% exclusive parking spaces and 7% charging facilities in 2022 to 12% exclusive parking spaces and 10% charging facilities from 2023 onward.

Mayor Lee Pil-hyung said, “To further expand the distribution of electric vehicles that contribute to reducing greenhouse gases and fine dust, it is necessary to proactively expand infrastructure such as charging facilities. Especially, if plans to expand electric vehicle infrastructure are established at the maintenance project stage, it will reduce construction costs for installing additional facilities after the completion of apartment complexes and ensure the structural safety of buildings.”

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