Basis Established for Sanctions Against City Bus Companies Involved in Fraud in Gwangju

Assembly Member Chae Eun-ji's Proposed 'Partial Amendment to the Semi-Public Operation Ordinance' Passed in Plenary Session

Gwangju City and Transport Operators' Specific Responsibilities Specified... Focus on Securing Public Interest and Transparency

A legal basis has been established to impose sanctions on city bus quasi-public operation system companies that committed fraudulent acts in Gwangju.

On the 13th, according to the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, the ‘Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Operation of the Gwangju Metropolitan City City Bus Quasi-Public Operation System’ proposed by City Councilor Chae Eun-ji (Proportional, Democratic Party) passed the plenary session of the 324th extraordinary meeting on the same day.

This amended ordinance specifically clarifies the responsibilities of Gwangju City and bus transportation operators regarding the city bus quasi-public operation system. The main content is to secure publicness and transparency by strengthening sanctions against transportation operators who violate the operation guidelines of the city bus quasi-public operation system and enhancing accountability.

In particular, the sanction regulations for violations and fraudulent acts by transportation operators have been detailed, and corresponding mandatory dispositions have been imposed according to each violation. Additionally, operators whose fraudulent penalty points exceed a certain standard or who seriously disrupt the order of the city bus quasi-public operation system may be excluded from the quasi-public operation transportation business.

Councilor Chae Eun-ji said, “Despite more than 10 billion won being invested annually in the city bus quasi-public operation system, recent audit results revealed failures to perform essential administrative procedures and violations by transportation operators,” adding, “I hope this ordinance amendment marks the first step toward improving the quasi-public operation system.”

She continued, “The amendment is expected not only to secure the soundness of the quasi-public operation system but also to strengthen the accountability of Gwangju City and transportation operators,” emphasizing, “We plan to continuously cooperate and communicate with bus transportation operators and labor unions for rational and efficient system improvements.”

Meanwhile, Gwangju City has been operating the city bus quasi-public operation system since 2007, compensating deficits for 10 companies with 1,040 buses (101 routes).

Recently, the Gwangju City Audit Committee conducted a special audit and took 34 administrative actions and financial measures amounting to 8.283 billion won for 16 items, including negligence in calculating the standard transportation cost for city buses, failure to inspect transportation revenue and cost settlements, failure to conduct management evaluations, improper settlement of other income, negligence in settlement of maintenance and management staff wages, negligence in settlement of non-operating vehicles, and improper payment of executive and employee wages.

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