Gwanak-gu Ganggamchan Bus exceeds 1,000 daily passengers

The Ganggamchan Bus, a free shuttle service introduced by Gwanak-gu in Seoul, has surpassed 1,000 daily passengers within seven months of its launch. Originally designed to assist the elderly and those with limited mobility in hilly areas, the service has seen a significant increase in usage, growing from an average of 307 passengers during its pilot phase to over 1,000 in recent months.

Operating two 25-seater vehicles on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the bus connects neighborhoods with poor public transit access, such as Nangok, Nanhyang, and Namhyeon, to essential public facilities including welfare centers, health clinics, and museums. The service also aims to stimulate the local economy by providing passengers with information on local businesses and discount events.

Residents can access the service for free by using a QR code via a dedicated mobile app or by presenting an ID to the driver. Gwanak-gu Mayor Park Jun-hee noted that the program has successfully improved mobility for residents in underserved areas and pledged to continue refining policies based on community feedback.