Goyang City is preparing emergency transportation measures and securing alternative transportation options to minimize inconvenience to citizens in anticipation of a general strike of Gyeonggi-do city buses scheduled for October 1, as announced on the 29th. The Gyeonggi Province Bus Labor Union Council is in the middle of negotiations with management for better working conditions, such as wage increases, and if negotiations fail at the mediation meeting on the 30th, the strike will begin with the first bus on October 1.
If the strike materializes, it is expected that 350 city buses across 32 routes in Goyang will cease operations. The routes affected by the strike include those heading towards locations such as Sungnyemun, Gimpo Airport, Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo, Gongdeok, Incheon Airport, Sinchon, Gangnam, Sangam DMC, and Uijeongbu, as well as several routes within Goyang.
During the strike, the city plans to deploy all available transport resources, including village buses, chartered buses, official buses, and non-striking city bus routes. They will particularly focus on increasing and concentrating the deployment of 81 village bus routes and 17 non-striking city bus routes during peak commute times and will add reserve buses to connect with major subway stations.
Additionally, 10 chartered buses and 5 official buses will be used to pass through major roads and junction bus stops during peak hours to minimize inconvenience for residents. The city is also seeking cooperation from taxi companies to concentrate taxi services around bus stops.
Goyang City will operate an emergency transportation headquarters to maintain a 24-hour emergency work system until the strike ends, overseeing real-time situation management, vehicle allocation, and on-site response. Key bus stops will have staff from the transportation bureau to assist and guide citizens.
Information on service interruptions and alternative transport options will be available on the city’s website, social media, bus stop notices, and bus information terminals. A city official emphasized that all measures are being taken to prepare for the anticipated bus strike and minimize inconvenience to citizens. They urged residents to check alternative transportation such as village buses and subways in advance and plan extra time for their journeys.