What emergency transport measures is Seoul preparing for the bus strike?

Seoul plans up to 1,500 free shuttle buses, with about 200 running between city wards and 1,300 connecting key hubs and residential areas to subway stations. The city also plans longer subway service and free public bike use if the strike goes ahead.

Why are Seoul bus workers preparing to strike over wages?

The dispute is over the calculation of ordinary wages during negotiations. The union wants ordinary wages calculated based on 176 work hours and is asking for a 7.85 percent increase in hourly wages, but bus operators have rejected the demand.

How will Seoul subway service change if the bus strike happens?

The city plans to extend morning rush-hour subway operations by two hours, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. It also plans to extend late-night service so the last train runs until 2 a.m., to help reduce commuter disruption.

Seoul city to operate up to 1,500 free shuttle buses amid looming bus strike

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Summary

Seoul metropolitan government plans to operate up to 1,500 free shuttle buses this week if unionized intracity bus workers begin a strike on Wednesday. The city also plans longer subway service hours and free Ttareungi bike use during the strike period. The dispute centers on how to calculate ordinary wages, with the union seeking a 7.85 percent hourly wage increase based on 176 work hours.

Key Facts

Unionized city bus workers voted Friday to go on strike beginning Wednesday if no deal is reached with management.
The city plans about 200 free shuttle buses between city wards and 1,300 buses linking major hubs and residential areas to subway stations.
The city plans to extend subway morning rush-hour service from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and late-night service until 2 a.m., while offering Ttareungi for free during the strike period.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 14, 2026 12:23 pm KST

Buses in traffic near Seoul Station in central Seoul, Sept. 3 / Yonhap

The Seoul metropolitan government said Monday it plans to operate up to 1,500 free shuttle buses this week if unionized workers of the capital's intracity buses press ahead with their planned strike.

Unionized city bus workers voted Friday to go on strike beginning Wednesday if they fail to reach a deal with the management, raising concerns of major traffic disruptions and delays.

As part of response plans to the potential strike, the city government said it will operate around 200 free shuttle buses between city wards, while 1,300 others will connect key city hubs and residential areas to subway stations.

It marks an increase from around 700 free shuttle buses operated during the previous strike in January.

The city said it also plans to extend subway morning rush-hour operations by two hours so that it runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., while extending late-night operations so that the last train runs until 2 a.m.

It also plans to offer the city's public bike service, Ttareungi, for free during the strike period.

Unionized bus workers and bus operators have been locked in a dispute over the calculation of so-called ordinary wages during negotiations.

While the union has requested calculating "ordinary" wages based on 176 work hours and increasing hourly wages by 7.85 percent, bus operators have rejected the demands.

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