Increasing Vehicles and Dispersing Demand... Reducing Commuter Mass Transit Congestion

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Reports Comprehensive Plan to Alleviate Commuter Congestion at Cabinet Meeting

The government has decided to increase the number of vehicles in operation and introduce flexible working hours, particularly at public institutions, to alleviate congestion on mass transit during commuting hours in the Seoul metropolitan area.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's plan to ease congestion on commuter mass transit in the Seoul metropolitan area, which was reported at the Cabinet meeting on April 28, the government is considering increasing the number of stops at five crowded stations such as Daebang and Jemulpo by utilizing the Gyeongin Line express train. In addition, it is reviewing the temporary expansion of chartered buses on congested bus routes connecting areas like Suwon and Yangju.

To prevent overcrowding during peak commuting hours, the government has recommended implementing flexible working hours for 30% of employees at public institutions. If the crude oil resource security crisis escalates to a "severe" level beyond the current situation, this proportion will be raised to 50%, and working from home will be actively encouraged. In the private sector, the government is also considering temporarily expanding the eligibility for flexible working hour incentives to cover employees with young children at small and medium-sized enterprises.

Citizens are busy walking while using the train at Chungmuro Station on the Seoul subway. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport began applying an incentive system this month under which users of the "Modeunui Card" who use public transportation during flexible commuting hours receive a 50% reimbursement rate.

To discourage private car use, vehicles participating in the odd-even vehicle rotation system will be eligible for special discount insurance policies. If the crisis escalates to a severe level, the government also plans to extend the weekday exclusive bus lane on the Gyeongbu Expressway to the Cheonan Interchange and to increase its operating hours by one hour at both the start and end of the day. A public awareness campaign will also be launched.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duk stated, "In order to save energy, we are taking preemptive measures to minimize the use of private vehicles, expand the supply of public transportation, and strengthen incentives so that people can use mass transit more easily and conveniently."

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