Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Designated waiting spots cause chaos in bus operations
Passengers wait for buses during rush hour at an area with multiple bus stops near Myeong-dong in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
By Jung Da-hyun
System to address safety led to severe congestion during rush hours
In an attempt to address safety concerns and streamline bus operations, the Seoul Metropolitan Government implemented a designated waiting spot system for a busy area with multiple bus stops across the street from Lotte Department Store in Myeong-dong.
However, the system has so far resulted in severe congestion during peak traffic hours as it only allows buses to pick up passengers in front of the designated spots for each bus route.
The area, servicing a total of 29 routes, sees around 9,500 passengers daily, according to the city government.
Previously, the area relied on a system where passengers formed lines according to the route numbers marked on the pavement.
The bus stops faced challenges as numerous routes and passengers crowded into a confined 35-meter long space. Intercity buses struggled to access their designated stops, often halting unpredictably before or after, leading to passenger pickups not happening at the allocated points.
As part of its efforts to enhance passenger safety, the city government introduced a system of designated waiting spots for each bus route on Dec. 27, 2023.
A total of 13 signs for buses have been placed at one-meter intervals along the zone where buses stop, combining waiting spots for two to three routes by similar direction and destination. Buses are only permitted to pick up passengers in front of the designated signs.
The aim was to force buses to pick up passengers only at these specified locations, discouraging boarding at arbitrary points and the potential safety issues this entails.
An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government puts up a notice to inform passengers that the designated waiting spot system is temporarily suspended at a busy bus stop area in Myeong-dong, Friday. Yonhap
However, the initiative unintentionally exacerbated congestion issues. It caused delays as the next bus could only stop to pick up passengers at the designated spot after the preceding bus moved, resulting in increased wait times and more buses obstructing the road.
“I once deliberately walked to the preceding bus stop because there were so many people waiting for a bus. But it took nearly 40 minutes from Sungnyemun to Myeong-dong,” said an office worker surnamed Jung in his 50s.
The most critical congestion extended 1.8 kilometers from Seoul Station through Sungnyemun to Myeong-dong. During rush hour, this stretch often witnessed three or more buses of the same line converging simultaneously.
“During rush hour, buses travelling to Seoul's satellite areas are consistently delayed, and after two to three consecutive bus arrivals, the waiting interval becomes excessively long. So I strategically avoid using buses here during those times,” said Shin Hye-ji, a university graduate, who regularly takes buses at the problematic stop.
In response to mounting complaints, the city government decided, Friday, to suspend the designated waiting spot system temporarily until Jan. 31.
Additionally, plans were unveiled to address the problem, altering stops for five metropolitan routes that connect Suwon and Yongin from Seoul, and relocating some routes to nearby stops in January.
To manage the situation and ensure passenger safety, three guidance personnel will be deployed from Monday during the peak commute time from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon conducted an on-site inspection at the bus station area in Myeong-dong on Saturday, pledging swift corrective measures based on public feedback.
“We will promptly implement supplementary measures to enhance safety and convenience, considering the opinions of the members of the public who are directly affected,” he said.