Seocho District Begins Full Operation of Winter Cold Wave Facilities at Bus Stops

Expansion of Convenience Facilities to 291 Locations, Including Ondol Chairs

Seocho District in Seoul (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) has prepared for the upcoming winter season by upgrading and fully operating cold weather facilities at bus stops, including Ondol Chairs, Ondol Chair Windbreakers, the Seoripul Igloo, and heated flooring systems at the stops.

Ondol Chair Windbreaker. Provided by Seocho District.

The Ondol Chair, which was first piloted at nine bus stops in 2018-the first of its kind in the country-has expanded to 291 locations thanks to strong support from residents. The chairs are especially popular among seniors and vulnerable groups, contributing to improved public transportation environments. This year, seven additional cooling and heated chairs were installed.

After inspecting the electrical and operational status throughout October, the facilities began operating in November. From December, the Ondol Chair Windbreakers, which block cold winds, and the Seoripul Igloo will also be available. Reflecting feedback from residents who found the previous partitioned windbreakers inconvenient, the number of partitions has been reduced so that more people can use them comfortably.

Since 2023, heated flooring systems have been installed at eight village bus stops with steep slopes, where the risk of freezing is high in winter. These heating wires automatically operate by detecting temperature and humidity, and a remote control system has been introduced to allow preheating in advance of snowfall forecasts.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho District, stated, “We have made thorough preparations so that residents can enjoy a warm daily life at bus stops, which are the spaces closest to their everyday lives, even during the winter cold wave. We will continue to make efforts to provide a convenient environment for public transportation users.”

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