Korean Prime Minister Takes Early Morning Bus... First Bus Time Moved Up by 15 Minutes

Prime Minister Han Deok-su Boards 146 Bus First Trip Today (2nd)
Listens to Difficulties of Cleaning and Security Workers Commuting to Gangnam
Mayor Oh Se-hoon Immediately Contacts Citizens Over Bus Schedule Requests

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] "It would be much better if the first bus time could be moved up by 10 to 15 minutes. When I get off at the bus stop, I have to run to the building where I work." (Building cleaning worker)

"We have been in consultation with Seoul City since the end of the year. I spoke with Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and he kindly agreed to help, so it seems it will be resolved well." (Prime Minister Han Duck-soo)

At 3 a.m. on January 2, the first working day of the new year, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo boarded the first bus No. 146 departing at 4:05 a.m. in Sanggye-dong, Seoul.

Bus No. 146 operates between Sanggye-dong and Gangnam Station. It is one of the 10 bus routes among 373 in Seoul with a high number of early morning passengers. Especially, this bus has an unusually large number of early morning passengers, so the first three buses depart simultaneously. It is mainly used by cleaning and security workers commuting from residential areas in northern Seoul to the Gangnam downtown area.

On that day, a cleaning worker on bus No. 146 requested that the first bus time be moved earlier. They explained that they need to finish cleaning the building before office workers arrive, but time is tight, so they have to run to the building immediately after getting off the bus.

Upon receiving the report from the staff, Prime Minister Han immediately called Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Seoul City said they are promoting a plan to move the first bus time of route 146 from the current 4:05 a.m. to 3:50 a.m., 15 minutes earlier. Kim Ui-seung, Seoul City’s Administrative Deputy Mayor 1, who was also on bus No. 146 with the Prime Minister, said, "Through labor-management consultations and the bus driver recruitment process, it is expected to be smoothly implemented around mid-month."

The reason Prime Minister Han took the first early morning bus at the start of the new year aligns with his New Year's address this year, where he stated, "We will further strengthen support for vulnerable groups and devote all efforts to the recovery of the livelihood economy." The Prime Minister’s office said they will continue to increase contact with citizens through field visits to livelihood sites in the new year. At a press briefing held on the 29th of last month, Prime Minister Han also said, "I will meet with various socially vulnerable people, listen to their stories, and work harder as a government to do what needs to be done."

On that day, Prime Minister Han also visited the driver waiting room at the bus garage of route 146 to encourage bus drivers preparing for the first bus operation and transportation company officials. He expressed gratitude, saying that despite COVID-19, cold waves, and high oil prices, thanks to the hard work of bus drivers, many workers have been able to safely commute between their workplaces and homes.

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