Wonju Innovation City, which is anticipating a second wave of public institution relocations, will launch a direct bus service to Seoul on Monday. The route is designed to improve transportation access to the innovation city and ease the settlement process for new residents.
Wonju City, Dongbu Express Co., Jungang Express Co., the Wonju Medical Device Industry Promotion Agency and the Council of Labor Unions of Public Institutions Relocated to Gangwon Innovation City signed an MOU Monday at Wonju City Hall's investment consultation room to establish and operate the direct express bus service between Wonju Innovation City and Seoul.
The agreement reflects a longstanding request from the labor union council of public institutions relocated to Gangwon Innovation City to improve living conditions for residents. Once the direct route launches, it will operate separately from the existing line that passes through Wonju Enterprise City, cutting the total distance by 14.6 km to 121.2 km between Wonju Innovation City and Seoul.
Wonju City plans to begin full operations Monday after completing upgrades to bus stops and related facilities. With the route separation, the Wonju Medical Device Industry Promotion Agency will serve as the new departure point, and officials expect ticketing and overall passenger convenience to improve significantly.
Wonju Mayor Ku Ja-yeol, signing his first MOU since taking office, said he hopes "the launch of this direct bus service will ease the transportation burden on innovation city residents and public institution employees, and serve as a foundation for the innovation city to grow into a self-sufficient city where work, residential life and consumption are in harmony."
abc@heraldcorp.com
