Governor Nam Kyung-pil meets commuters to introduce trial operation of double-deckers for bus route 7770 on December 8

Trial operation from Gyeonggi Provincial Human Resource Development Institute to Sadang Station took place on December 7

After reviewing feedback, provincial government will decide on adoption

◇ Governor Nam introduces the trial operation of double-deckers for bus route 7770 to commuters at the Hanil Town bus stop in Jowon-dong, Suwon City, on the morning on December 8. 

“Gyeonggi Province begins operation of double-decker buses on a trial basis”

Governor Nam Kyeong-pil played the role of usher to introduce a trial run of double-decker buses that the provincial government is considering for adoption to set the initiative for a no-standing rule on inter-city buses.

Governor Nam introduced the trial operation of double-deckers for bus route 7770 to commuters at the Hanil Town bus stop in Jowon-dong, Suwon City, at 7:00 am on December 8.

Staff of Gyeongjin Transportation guided passengers, while members of the Gyeonggi Province Good Morning Bus Council distributed pamphlets about the trial service.

Lee Jaewoo (57, Jowon-dong, Suwon City), who commutes from Suwon City to Samgakji in Seoul, said, “I’ve read the pamphlets but I’m not sure the road condition is good.”

Governor Nam said, “The double-decker bus will arrive soon. I took it yesterday and it was safe and enjoyable”. He added, “So far we have only one double-decker bus. If feedback is good, we will adopt more.”

The Enviro 500, the double-decker bus used for the trial, is manufactured by Britain’s Alexander Dennis. Having 79 seats including a driver’s seat, it is 12.86 meters in length, 2.55 meters in width, and 4.15 meters in height.

The low-floor bus has no steps between gates and the passenger cabin, and is equipped with 28 seats on the lower level and 51 seats on the second level.

The double-decker bus on route 7770 will run three times a day from December 8 to 12on a trial basis. It departs Suwon Station at 7:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 5:00 pm for Sadang Station via the Suwon Sports Complex, Hanil Town, and other stops.

During the trial operation, a guide team of two personnel from Gyeongjin Transportation will aid operation from 7:00 am to 8:30 am from Monday to Friday.

“Commuters wait a long time for buses, but standing on a bus is not safe. I believe it is convenient and commuters are happy with the double-decker bus,” Governor Nam said. “If we don’t find any problems, we will expand the budget to introduce more double-decker buses”, he added.

◇ Governor Nam Kyeong-pil and guests cut the ribbon for the trial operation of the Good Morning Bus & Double Decker Bus at the Gyeonggi Provincial Human Resource Development Institute on December 7 

A trial ride experience event for the double-decker bus on route 7770 took place at the Gyeonggi Provincial Human Resource Development Institute on December 7. It took approximately 80 minutes to complete the run between the Gyeonggi Provincial Human Resource Development Institute and Sadang Station in Seoul.

The provincial government will operate double-deckers on bus route 7770 between Suwon City and Sadang Station in Seoul from December 8 to 12. Gyeonggi Province also plans to operate double-decker buses on a trial basis between Gimpo City and Seoul Station on bus route M6117, and between Namyangju City and Jamsil Station on bus route 8012.

The double-decker bus on route M6117 will depart Hangaram Maeul in Gimpo City for trial operation four times a day at 6:30 am, 10:30 am, 2:20 pm and 6:10 pm for Seoul Station via Chodang Maeul, Hapjeong Station, and Sinchon Ogeori from December 15 to 19.

The double-decker bus on route 8012 will run between Namyangju City and Jamsil Station, departing from Kyungbok College in Namyangju City at 7:10 am, 1:00 pm, and 6:00 pm via Jinjeop Post Office and the Guri Tollgate.

During trial operation, the double-decker buses stop at the same locations as existing buses to pick up passengers for the same fare of KRW 2,200 (KRW 2,100 for credit card payments). For safety purposes, a public official, a staff member of the bus company, and a mechanic will also be on board.

The Gyeonggi Research Institute will assess the operation of the double-decker buses in terms of the vehicle, passengers, and drivers. The criteria of the vehicle section include running performance, fuel efficiency, operating expenses, and convenience of maintenance. The criteria of the passenger section are convenience, safety, time boarding/disembarking, and actual transportation capability.

Convenience of driving, degree of safety, and degree of fatigue are the criteria of the driver section. After the trial period ends, Gyeonggi Research Institute will release the assessment results in January.

There are 23 double-deckers currently operating in Korea, most of which have 43 seats and cater to tourists and commuters.

◇ Governor Nam Kyung-pil waves before the double-decker bus departs. 

http://namkyungpil.gg.go.kr/archives/104852