The island’s public transport system recently underwent its first major makeover in three decades. Among the changes: authorities hired many more new bus drivers, and they have promised to fulfill their duties safely and courteously. Mike Balfour reports.




Report

[slug]
Ceremony marking launch of revamped bus system

There was a recent gathering of public transportation people including 300 newly employed, uniformed bus drivers.

[slug]
Drivers promise to be courteous, drive safely

The drivers promised passenger satisfaction; that they would be courteous and drive safely.

One of them is Ms. (김서희) Kim Seo-hui, the island’s first female driver. She has 10 years of bus driving experience in Seoul.

Recording
Kim Seo-hui / Bus driver
I’m here to show that I will be kind to riders and drive safely. I’ll do my best.
<씽크:김서희/버스 운전원>
"이런 기회가 주어져서 참여하게 됐어요. 앞으로 친절과 봉사, 안전을 위해서 열심히 하겠습니다 .최선을 다하겠습니다. "

[slug]
‘New system will be more convenient and ease parking problems’

Governor Won Heeryong stressed that the brand-new system change, the biggest in 30 years, will offer more convenient service to passengers and ease the shortage of parking spaces.

He admits to early confusion but promises to listen to users and set up infrastructure to minimize inconvenience.

Recording
Won Heeryong / Governor
We’ve designated 1,200 monitors to ease the transition to the new system. That will help us here exactly what residents and riders have to say about it.
<씽크:원희룡 제주특별자치도지사>
"1천 2백여 명의 도민 모니터링단을 필두로 해서 앞으로 모든 도민들과 대중교통 이용자들의 의견을 실시간으로 듣겠습니다."

As the new system is subsidized by local taxes, the province will set a penalty against any violations by the bus companies.

[slug]
Bus drivers to be penalized for traffic violations, discourtesy

Such violations would include traffic offenses and discourtesy to customers.

Issues about labor conditions were controversial and threatened the implementation of the new service. A last minute agreement on 14 working days for drivers averted a shutdown of service.

Recording
Jo Gyeong-shin / Korean Automobile and Transport Workers Federation
In negotiations with management, we tentatively agreed to 14 working days a month and an expansion of the service allowance from 10 to 25 years.
<씽크:조경신/전국자동차노조연맹 제주도지부 위원장>
"대화를 했는데 잠정적으로 근로일수 월 14일, 근속수당을 10년에서 25년으로 마무리해서 잠정적으로 합의된 상태입니다. "

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Moon Ho-seong

The drastic changes in Jeju’s public transportation system will be closely monitored by all.

Mike Balfour, KCTV