Gyeonggi Province to demonstrate technology on bus no. 8601 from Gimpo to
Seoul City Hall for four weeks before launching the seat reservation system for
red buses

◇ Gyeonggi Province has initiated
the launch a seat reservation system for red buses to create a more convenient commuting
environment for its residents. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo
Seon-ryang

Gyeonggi Province has begun procedures
to launch a seat reservation system for red buses to create a more convenient commuting
environment for its residents. 

Gyeonggi Province carried out
a technical demonstration by adding one reservation-only bus to route from
Gimpo to Seoul City Hall (no. 8601) in the morning for four weeks from February
15 to review the feasibility and effect of launching a seat reservation system
for red buses.  

The red bus seat reservation
system enables passengers to reserve their seats, date of use, and boarding
station in advance and pay their fares using transportation cards. Gyeonggi
Province is the first to add a reservation system to red buses in Korea. 

Gyeonggi Province gathered a
pilot test group of more than 200 residents living close to bus stations along the
Gimpo-Seoul City Hall route before it tested the technology. Using this test
group, Gyeonggi Province conducted a study on the effects of and user
satisfaction with the seat reservation system among actual users.

Results showed that no-show
rates (reserved but not occupied) were 17%, which corresponds to equivalent
rates for trains, airplanes, and inter-city buses. Approximately half of the
users used the service more than three times a week, showing great user
response for the service. In addition, 80% of actual users were satisfied with
the service, and 93% said they would use it again in the future.  

As for the biggest advantages
of the seat reservation bus, users selected: ① seating/comfort, ② guaranteed seats, and ③ time saved as the
top three aspects.  

Gyeonggi Province anticipated
that the system, when fully implemented, will reduce commuting time for
Gyeonggi residents and significantly improve user experience.  

In fact, results from technical
demonstration monitoring revealed that bus operation times were reduced by
three minutes on average, and 60% of the users said that experienced commute
times including the time spent waiting at bus stations were down by 10 to 20
minutes. Not only that, the system reduced the number of passengers standing on
buses and helped disperse passengers more effectively.  

Gyeonggi Province, however,
explained that the added time to check reservation status when passengers
actually board the bus is an aspect that requires improvement.  

Gyeonggi Province Good Morning
Bus Group Head Lim Seong-man said, “With this technical
demonstration, we’ll find ways to build on strengths
and improve on weaknesses.” Lim added, “We will work closely with relevant organizations and prepare a plan
for the pilot project to offer a red bus reservation system that creates a more
enjoyable morning commute.” 

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Ha Soo-hyun hyunie94@naver.com

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201604181026337847C048&s_code=C048