Gyeonggi Province begins double decker bus service with express bus line
no. 8601… Governor Nam takes test ride from bus depot in
Daepo-ri, Gimpo 

◇ Governor Nam Kyung-pil, National Assembly Member Hong Cheol-ho,
Gimpo Deputy Mayor Moon Hyeon-ho, and a number of Gimpo citizens pose for a
photo at the bus depot for Gimpo Transport Company in Daepo-ri, Gimpo, before
taking a test ride. ⓒ Gyeonggi Provincial Government 

Gyeonggi Province begins its double decker bus service with an inaugural voyage
on October 22. Double decker bus service has been introduced to make commutes
safer for Gyeonggi residents and to alleviate problems caused by insufficient seating
on express bus lines.
 

The double decker express bus will serve line no. 8601, which travels a
97km round-trip route between Gimpo Hangang New Town and Seoul City Hall. This
makes it the first regular express bus line served by a double decker.

Governor Nam Kyung-pil along with National Assembly Member Hong Cheol-ho,
Gimpo Deputy Mayor Moon Hyeon-ho, and a number of Gimpo residents boarded for a
test ride on the double decker bus at the bus depot for Gimpo Transport Company’s line no. 8601 in
Daepo-ri, Yangchon-eup, Gimpo City, to commemorate the double decker’s first run. 

On board the double decker, Governor Nam said, “First of all, I like that it has a wide
unobstructed view and the ride is better than I thought. Our people were
commuting under tiring conditions, but I hope this helps them have a
comfortable and safe commute.” 

In response to questions from the press asking if it felt any different
from the previous test ride, Governor Nam answered, “It feels as steady as it did before. Introducing
a new policy isn’t easy, but I believe this will create a new industry for buses in the
future.” 

Citizens riding along with Governor Nam also responded that the ride was
pleasant and comfortable.  

Mr. Kim from Seoldo Maeul in Gimpo City said, “I’m going to Dangsan. It feels like I’m on a tour and,
above all, it feels pleasant and comfortable. I always had trouble finding a
seat on the 8601, but today I’m sitting down. I hope more double decker buses
appear on the road.” 

Mr. Kim from Janggi-dong in Gimpo City was satisfied, saying, “I’m on my way to
Yeongdeungpo. First, I think this double decker bus is just so fresh and the
service seems great. I hope they increase the number of buses so that they come
more often. I will use this bus again.”

The double decker express bus is 4.0m tall, 2.5m
wide, and 13.0m long. The cabin is 1.82m high on the first level and 1.70m on
the second level. Apart from the driver’s seat, the first level has 13 seats and the second level
has 59 seats for a total of 72 seats overall. This provides roughly 30 seats
more than ordinary express buses. Each double decker bus costs KRW 450 million.  

◇ Governor Nam rides on the second level of the double decker bus and
talks with his fellow passengers. ⓒ Gyeonggi Provincial
Government

A low-floor bus model was chosen to make it more convenient for the
physically challenged, and the bus comes equipped with vehicle tilting function
as well as a wheelchair ramp. Each seat has a USB recharging port, book lamp,
and stop button, and the bus offers free Wi-Fi.  

Moreover, features that required work to make the bus safer and more
convenient such as safety bars, stair rails, stop sign visibility, seating for the
physically challenged, driver-assisting monitors, washer tank location, and side
mirror location were all expedited.  

Starting operations with line no. 8601 that day, the provincial government
plans to put 9 vehicles on the road to serve routes within the year depending
on shipping schedules.  

Gyeonggi Province selected the routes to receive double decker buses
based on demand surveys and project briefing sessions held in cities and
counties across the province.  

As such, two lines in Namyangju City – no. 8002 (Daeseong-ri to Jamsil Station) and no.
8012 (Naechon Station to Jamsil Station) – and one line in Gimpo City – no. 8600 (Yangchon
to Seoul City Hall) – will receive one double decker bus each on October 30.  

On November 10, line no. 1000-2 from Namyangju (Hopyeong-dong to Jamsil Station)
will receive one double decker bus, line no. 8601 from Gimpo (Daepo-ri to Seoul
City Hall) will get three buses, and line no. 8601 will receive one additional
double decker in late November.  

Along with the gradual increase in the number of double decker buses,
Gyeonggi Province plans to explore ways to expand double decker bus service by identifying
safety measures in each sector such as: inspecting roads in advance for any
obstacles; implementing a mandatory seating system for all routes; improving
various safety and convenience facilities; selecting outstanding drivers and
conducting safety education; and by monitoring future operational
circumstances.  

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province reviewed the possibility of introducing
double decker buses as a solution to passenger safety problems arising from its
prohibition of operating express bus services in metropolitan areas with
passengers standing on board.  

The province conducted pilot tests of double decker buses in Suwon,
Gimpo, and Namyangju from December 8 to 26 last year. Satisfaction survey
results showed that 89% of all passengers and 100% of all drivers approved of
the double decker bus service.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government test operated the vehicles for a month
once they arrived via the Port of Busan on September 4. A total of four test runs
were conducted with a wide range of people on board including transportation experts,
reporters, bus company personnel, and Gyeonggi residents. The trial runs
revealed a need for a few improvements in various convenience items. These
items were addressed and resolved to allow the bus to go on its first official
journey.  

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Roh Kyeong-hee khrohh@kg21.net 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201510221515247055C048&s_code=C048