Gyeonggi Province to introduce trial operations of Good Morning Buses and adopt double-decker buses
Createdd 2015-01-29 Hit 815
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Gyeonggi Province to introduce trial operations of Good Morning Buses and adopt double-decker buses
Flexible operation to benefit users
The decision was made to introduce trial operations of Good Morning Buses this April and to adopt double-decker buses with the aim of supporting the initiative for a no-standing rule on intercity bus routes.
The Good Morning Bus system, an intercity bus system equipped with multi-transit terminals and renovated convenience facilities at key bus stations for residents of Gyeonggi Province, was one of the major pledges made by the 6th popularly elected provincial administration. At the NEXT Gyeonggi Forum, which was held on January 22 to discuss Good Morning Buses and double-decker buses, the decision was made to adopt double-decker buses as soon as possible in order to meet the expectations of residents, and to carry forward the Good Morning Bus system, including plans for connecting railways at multi-transit terminals.
It was first decided to adopt double-decker buses, an action that was reviewed through trial operations in December last year. Considering the time required to prepare standards for selecting a bus model and routes as well as steps for vehicle selection, and the six months required for production, it was initially projected that the adaptation of double-decker buses would be possible this September at the earliest. In order to facilitate the no-standing rule on inter-city buses routes and to meet the expectations of residents, however, the decision was made to pursue additional measures for earlier adoption.
Accordingly, measures were considered to secure the larger budgets needed for increasing the number of buses to approximately 20 while means were sought to reduce the amount of time required for production. Initially, a budget of KRW 1.35 billion was established for the initial introduction of 3 to 4 double-decker buses.
Regarding bus models, 4-meter-high double-decker buses will be introduced since no amendments of related laws are required.
“Even though residents have responded positively to adopting double-deckers and many are looking forward to their adoption, a 6 or 12-month of delay will result in loss of momentum. As there is no issue about the safety, quality or service demand, we’re going to seek measures to advance the adoption date of double-decker buses as early as possible.”
Last year, when the no-standing rule on inter-city bus routes raised issues including passenger safety, double-decker buses were considered as a means of resolving those issues.
A survey of users conducted through trial operations from December 8 to 26 last year showed that 89% of passengers and 100% of drivers are in favor of adopting double-decker buses.
The Good Morning Bus system, which features routes connecting inter-city bus transit stations with trunk buses and branch buses in order to minimize passenger waiting time, will start pilot operations from this coming April.
Trial operations will be introduced on a route section from Jeongja Station in Seongnam City to Paik Hospital Station in Seoul (round trip of 55 kilometers) with the deployment of 15 inter-city buses after rearranging 138 buses of the 6 current routes covering the section.
The starting point, Jeongja Station in Seongnam City, sees a relatively large percentage (28%) of boarding passengers among the bus stops in Gyeonggi Province and is where transfers to the Bundang Line and the Sinbundang Line can be made. The ending point, Paik Hospital Station, is where 69% of passengers going to Seoul disembark and transfers to Subway Line 1 and 5 can be made.
Compared to existing bus route 9000, which runs from Ori Station in Seongnam City to Seoul Station, the travel time from the starting point to the ending point is reduced from 146 minutes to 92 minutes, and the number of times each bus runs a day increases by 78% from 4.6 to 8.2.
Driving efficiency can be improved by selecting stops with a large number of users as key bus stations.
Additionally, an intercity bus fare system that offers a discount to those who transfer at sub-centers before entering the congested city center is under consideration.
Efforts will also be made to identify means to connect railways at multi-transit terminals, which now only focus on bus-to-bus transfers.
For the convenience of users, it is important to facilitate transfers from bus to bus, railway, and subway. Efforts will be made to be flexible in implementing the system for users.
Through a study of the bus system of Gyeonggi Province to be started in early February, an improvement plan for the overall bus system of Gyeonggi Province will be drawn up, including ways to establish and improve multi-transit terminals and key transit stations, connect branch buses with the Good Morning Buses, introduce a semipublic system, and advance a seat reservation system.
For multi-transit terminals, approximately 18 months will be needed for a feasibility review, establishment of development and investment methods, and developer selection. Construction will begin as early as next year.
At 20 key multi-transit stations, a facility improvement project will be completed this May, and electronic information signs will also be installed for the convenience of users and drivers.
