Incheon Metropolitan City Government to Implement Special Chuseok Holiday Transportation Measures... Express and Intercity Bus Services to Increase by 73%

【Financial News Incheon = Reporter Gap-su Han】 Incheon Metropolitan City Government will expand express and intercity bus and passenger ferry services and extend late-night subway operations during the Chuseok holiday to ensure smooth travel and transportation safety for people traveling to and returning from their hometowns.
Incheon Metropolitan City Government announced on the 15th that it will designate the five-day period from the 23rd to the 27th as the “Special Chuseok Holiday Transportation Measures Period” and implement comprehensive transportation measures, including strengthening public transportation capacity and transportation safety.
The city government forecasts that the average daily number of public transportation users in the Incheon area during this year’s Chuseok holiday will reach 504,076, an increase of 4,174 people, or 0.8%, from the usual level. Subway ridership is expected to decline as commuting demand falls, while the number of passengers using medium- and long-distance transportation, including express and intercity buses and passenger ferries, is projected to rise significantly due to increases in people traveling to their hometowns and visiting graves.
Accordingly, the city government plans to expand capacity for transportation services used heavily by travelers heading to and returning from their hometowns, while operating city buses and subways, whose ridership is expected to decline, flexibly in line with demand.
Express and intercity bus services will increase from the usual 301 buses making 416 trips to 359 buses making 475 trips during the special transportation measures period. As a result, the average daily number of passengers carried is expected to rise 72.7%, from 5,254 to 9,072. Express bus services will add 19 buses and 18 trips, while intercity bus services will add 39 buses and 41 trips.
Passenger ferry services for island residents and visitors traveling to their hometowns will also increase from the usual 67 trips to 75, adding eight trips. The city government plans to improve travel convenience for people traveling to and returning from island areas.
Subway services will operate more flexibly than usual in consideration of reduced commuting demand, while supporting late-night travel for people returning from their hometowns. On the 26th and 27th, Incheon Subway Line 1 will make two additional late-night runs, Incheon Metro Line 2 will make four, and Seoul Subway Line 7 will make four, for a total of 10 late-night extensions per day. Services will run until 2 a.m., based on the terminal stations.
City buses will continue to operate with the holiday reduction in service. However, traffic conditions will be closely managed on routes toward Incheon Family Park, where a surge in visitors paying respects at graves is expected.
Transportation safety measures will also be strengthened. Before the Chuseok holiday, Incheon Metropolitan City Government will conduct safety inspections of major transportation modes and facilities, including buses, taxis, subways, and terminals. It will also provide special training for transportation workers on complying with traffic laws and following safe operating procedures.
During the holiday period, a special transportation measures control room will monitor public transportation operations and major traffic congestion areas in real time. The city government will maintain an emergency contact system with relevant agencies, including district and county governments and the police, and respond swiftly to unexpected situations such as traffic accidents, deteriorating weather, and traffic congestion.
Measures will also be implemented to reduce the transportation costs of vehicles traveling to and returning from their hometowns. Tolls on Wonjeoksan Tunnel and Manwolsan Tunnel will be waived for four days, from the 24th through the 27th.
In addition, temporary parking and stopping will be permitted on roads around 22 traditional markets to support convenient holiday shopping and access to local commercial districts.
Park Seong-sun, director of the Transportation Policy Bureau, said, “We will support comfortable travel for citizens by extending subway operating hours during the Chuseok holiday, when many people travel to and return from their hometowns.”
[email protected] Gap-su Han Reporter