Dongdaemun-gu Provides Financial Support for Operating Deficit in Village Buses

Ordinance on Financial Support for Village Buses in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Promulgated on the 10th

Financial support planned from September for village bus operators facing operational deficits

Financial support for village buses in Dongdaemun-gu has become possible.

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) announced on the 10th that, based on the ordinance on financial support for village buses in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, which was promulgated on the same day, it will provide financial support starting this September to village bus operators experiencing operational deficits.

Currently, four village bus routes operate in Dongdaemun-gu. Since COVID-19, the number of passengers has continuously decreased, and due to participation in the transfer fare system and other factors, operational deficits have occurred. Last year, the number of village bus trips decreased by 26% compared to 2019. The reduction in village bus operation rates has led to longer intervals between buses, increasing inconvenience for residents.

Until now, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has supported 85% of the deficit within a limit of 230,000 KRW when village bus transportation revenue fell short of the financial support standard amount (457,040 KRW per bus per day). However, due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, rising fuel costs, decreased ridership, and driver attrition, the operating conditions of village buses have worsened, increasing inconvenience for residents. In response, Dongdaemun-gu has decided to cooperate with Seoul City to provide an additional 15% support for the deficit.

On June 15, the district office held a meeting with the mayors to identify difficulties faced by operators and is making every effort to reduce residents' inconvenience, including promoting a research project for the mayor’s campaign pledge to 'reorganize village bus routes.'

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “We hope this support will help normalize village bus operations,” and added, “We will strive to ensure that village buses, the lifeline for residents, operate stably so that Dongdaemun-gu residents can use public transportation without inconvenience.”

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