"시내버스 정상화"..개편 후 장단점 고려해야

(Anchor) Ulsan Mayor-elect Kim Sang-wook announced that he would normalize Ulsan's city bus routes, which were completely reorganized during the 8th popular election. He foreshadowed that he would restore discontinued routes and increase the number of buses. Reporter Park Young-hoon investigated the public's reaction. (Reporter) Ulsan Mayor-elect Kim Sang-wook announced that he would reorganize Ulsan's city bus routes, which had been a subject of controversy during the election campaign. He stated that he would restore discontinued routes, such as the Cheonsang-Guyeong route in Ulju-gun and the Cheongok-Maegok route in Buk-gu, and increase the frequency of buses on congested routes. Cheonsang-ri and Guyeong-ri in Beomseo-eup, Ulju-gun, are among the areas that have received the most complaints regarding inconvenience since the bus route reorganization. Residents appealed for the restoration of discontinued routes, stating that while traveling within Beomseo-eup has become more convenient than before thanks to feeder buses, it has become more inconvenient to travel to downtown areas such as Jung-gu and Nam-gu. (Interview) Kim Myeong-sun / Cheonsang-ri, Beomseo-eup, Ulju-gun "There isn't really any inconvenience in traveling between Cheonsang and Guyeong-ri. Well, there isn't, because there is the (Ulju) Bus No. 09. But I think that was a really good move. There used to be buses like the old No. 317 or No. 307 that went downtown from here, but they are gone now. That is what is inconvenient." In particular, since the reorganization, various buses have started converging frequently at specific times. There are voices of concern that if the routes are reorganized again, the dispatching might get messed up again, and that changing the bus numbers again might cause confusion. (Interview) Park Young-hee / Cheonsang-ri, Beomseo-eup, Ulju-gun When it changes, the bus routes should run more sporadically, but since they come all at once, that feels a bit off. Since the numbers change according to the route, you have to remember them, so it is naturally difficult when they change. The Cheonggok-dong and Maegok-dong areas in Buk-gu are another region that has received the most complaints regarding inconvenience following the bus route reorganization. In Buk-gu as well, the number of direct bus routes to and from downtown Ulsan, including Nam-gu and Jung-gu, has decreased since the reorganization. Residents say they are particularly inconvenienced by the significant reduction in buses traveling between Ulsan and Gyeongju. (Interview) Choi Young-ja / Mohwa-ri, Oedong-eup, Gyeongju-si "Before, buses to Hogye ran frequently, so it was convenient to take the bus. But these days, if I try to take one, I have to wait a long time. That is a bit inconvenient. It would be good if they changed it back to running more frequently." As the primary age group using city buses is the elderly, there are also calls for detailed explanations to citizens regarding what has changed and how, along with the bus route reorganization. (Interview) Lee Soon-young / Jungsan-dong, Buk-gu "I wish they would explain that (the route reorganization information). A bit more easily. How things have changed in this area, which numbers have changed, and what routes they will take. Of course, young people can figure it out immediately just by looking." However, even I get confused sometimes, and those older than me—people in their 70s or 80s—don't know. City bus drivers state that since the bus route reorganization, the number of passengers each bus must carry has increased, and they support increasing the number of buses and restoring discontinued routes. (Interview) Jung Young-hak / Chairman, Ulsan Bus Union "Since the number of large buses has decreased by about 19 due to the route reorganization, the share of passengers transported per bus is on the higher side. We support the restoration of discontinued routes to help resolve this." (Stand-up) It appears that route reorganization should be carried out by reflecting diverse opinions from citizens and the bus industry to minimize unnecessary confusion caused by the restructuring of city buses. This is Park Young-hoon from JCN News. #Ulsan #News