The shuttle bus program has implemented changes to increase the number of users. With the Seoul City government’s approval, the Office of General Administration was able to employ two more drivers. As a result, the service now runs three times a day, which is a great improvement compared to the previous one, with just one driver twice a day. The buses now operate on average at 25-minute intervals - 08:25, 09:10, 09:25 - whereas the previous schedule offered 60-minute intervals. A new stop has also been added: Wangsimni Subway Station, was selected based on thorough investigation and survey.

Jung Hoon, an official in the General Administration office, said, “With the more flexible schedule and addition of a more accessible stop, the amount of users will likely increase.”

With the service’s history in mind, however, many who use it have expressed solconcern. The bus service was last halted in Feb. 2014 because there were only 5 to 10 students in the bus even though its maximum capacity was 45. Even Jung has expressed his worries that the timetable is not for the best because it has been adjusted based on traffic laws, and the revival of the service is still unknown to students.

Park Kyung-nam (Dept. of Science in Taxation, ’10) said, “It is good to have the service back, but it seems that most students do not even know about the school buses. I think they should advertise it more.”

One of the drivers also indicated that the service may be discontinued yet again if there are not enough passengers. Nonetheless, Jung concluded with a positive comment: “There are still obstacles to overcome, but I hope this system contributes to students and workers at UOS, and I believe it will.”

By. Joung In-young