Yongsan District Provides 900,000 Won Quarterly Support per Village Bus Driver

Yongsan District in Seoul is simultaneously working to improve the working conditions of village bus drivers and encourage resident participation. On April 20, the district announced that it will officially launch the “Support Project for Improving the Treatment of Village Bus Drivers.” After establishing the institutional basis by revising the relevant ordinance in September last year, Yongsan District signed a business agreement with village bus operators in January this year, laying the groundwork for implementation.

Park Heeyoung, Mayor of Yongsan District, is taking a commemorative photo with village bus transportation company officials at the 'Yongsan District Village Bus Driver Treatment Improvement Agreement Ceremony.' Provided by Yongsan District Office.

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On April 17, the district provided 900,000 won per person in treatment improvement funds to 59 drivers for the first quarter of 2026. The district expects that this support will lead to greater job stability and morale among the drivers, ultimately contributing to safer and more courteous village bus services.

Yongsan District is also operating the “Village Bus Safety Monitoring Group,” with direct participation from residents. The group was recruited from among district residents in March and will be active for eight months, from April to November.

The monitoring group will conduct on-site inspections twice a month, checking for issues such as buses passing stops without stopping, reckless driving, and the cleanliness of the vehicles. Any problems identified are reported to the bus operators, and the group continuously follows up to ensure corrective action is taken. The group also collects user complaints and promptly communicates them, establishing a field-oriented response system.

The district administration will visit bus operators at least once a month to re-examine complaints. In cases where issues are repeated or require focused management, the district combines guidance and training to enhance the effectiveness of its oversight.

As a result of these policies, the number of complaints related to village buses has decreased from a monthly average of 30 last year to around 20 recently, showing a clear trend of improvement.

Heeyoung Park, Mayor of Yongsan District, stated, “Improving the working environment for drivers and increasing resident satisfaction as bus users are both challenges that must be addressed together. We will continue to create a village bus environment where everyone can use the service with peace of mind, through field-centered management and practical support.”

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