Jeju bus passengers increase and infrastructure investment follows. Photo courtesy Jeju Special Self Governing Province

Bus passenger numbers have again risen by 4.1 percent, continuing the recent trend, according provincial government figures. 48,052,000 journeys were made on public transport buses in 2012 compared to 43,522,000 the previous year. Officials believe that the increasing convenience and upgraded infrastructure contributed to the rise.

Passengers using transport cards (such as T-Money) and taking advantage of free inner-city transfers have also increased compared to last year as provincial government figures showing a 9.3 percent increase on the previous year. The free transfer system, introduced in March 2006, allows users to freely transfer buses with one hour of first use when using such transport cards. If the first journey is over one hour passengers should touch their transport cards when disembarking to add an extra 30 minutes to their transfer time.

In 2011 there was a 11.1 percent increase in the numbers using free transfers, while in 2012 this increased again by 10 percent. The figures have prompted the provincial government to target the “five-million era” for public transportation users. Plans include: 370 rain shelters to be installed at bus stops; improvement of bus timetables at 420 bus stops; the installation of 183 LED displays at city bus stops; and further plans to improve the infrastructure for buses on the island.

Changes brought in to accommodate the increased numbers include the merging of the Seogwipo City bus terminals, with the terminal at the Seogwipo World Cup Stadium now being the only Seogwipo terminal. Officials say this will increase convenience and services for passengers. In addition, there will be an increase in the number of buses running at rush hour between Jeju City and Seogwipo City, along the 5.16, and between Jungmun and Jeju City along the Pyeonghwa-ro.

Although these figures and plans will be welcomed by bus users, there is still a long way to go before the bus system on Jeju can be considered satisfactory. Access for the elderly or disabled is severely restricted and drivers often show little concern for passengers or fellow road users.

As taxi fares increase and more people are forced onto Jeju’s public buses, it is time for more than an aesthetic overhaul of public transport to keep Jeju in line with true international cities worldwide.