This morning, Seoul city buses went on strike.
As of 9 a.m., less than a third of Seoul’s 395 bus routes are operating normally, and less than 7% of the city’s buses are actually running.
The labor talks are dragging on. What should Seoulites do if they’re stuck on the road?
1.Wake up a little earlier and take the subway
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has increased subway service to 172 more trips per day, especially during rush hour, by one hour, adding more trains and reducing the interval between trains.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, subway ridership from 5-7 a.m. today was up 18% compared to the previous day. During the bus strike, which may not end anytime soon, it’s a good idea to leave home a little earlier than usual in anticipation of the subway being more crowded than usual.
2. Take the free shuttle bus
Seoul is offering free subway rides to subway stations. You can check the availability and routes of shuttle buses in your area here.
However, depending on the area, the buses may run every 15-30 minutes or take 60 minutes, so it’s best to check the route and time in advance.
3. Drive on Widened Roads
If you’re thinking, “If the buses are on strike, aren’t the roads going to be really clogged?”, Seoul has taken this into account by temporarily suspending bus lanes. This allows cars to use the wider roads.
Still, traffic is bound to increase, so it’s probably safe to leave a little earlier than usual during the bus strike. Please note that the central bus lanes are still only open to buses, so be careful when driving.
With temperatures hovering around freezing, the commute is even more frustrating. While it can be frustrating to suddenly have to deal with a commute that’s not always the most pleasant, think of it as a way to add a little variety and maybe even a little excitement to your daily commute.
We’re all just doing the best we can from where we are. Today, take a step towards your own day.