Intercity and Express Bus Routes Drop by Nearly 4,000, Terminals Closing Amid Growing Transportation Polarization

▲ Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul

Intercity and express bus routes and passenger numbers are on a continuous decline, with multiple bus terminals closing down every year, data showed.

According to statistics from the Korea Bus Transportation Association today (the 31st), the number of intercity and express bus routes stood at 3,203 last year, down 1,381 (30.1 percent) from 4,584 a decade ago.

Compared to two decades ago when the number of routes exceeded 5,000, this represents a drop of nearly 4,000 routes.

The number of routes has steadily decreased, recording 4,584 in 2010, 3,625 in 2015, and 3,203 in 2020.

Intercity and express bus passengers dropped by 58.2 percent over a 20-year span, falling from 283.37 million in 2005 to 118.39 million last year.

Over the same period, the number of buses decreased by 37.8 percent from 9,582 to 5,961.

Intercity and express bus ridership was hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year's passenger volume remained at 51.9 percent lower than the 246.27 million recorded in 2019, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Passenger numbers have declined for two consecutive years up until last year.

The closure of bus terminals and reduction of routes nationwide are accelerating.

According to the Korea Passenger Terminal Association, 44 private bus terminals have given up their businesses and closed or temporarily suspended operations from 2018 to March of this year due to dwindling demand and deteriorating financial conditions.

In addition, Daejeon Seonambu Terminal applied for closure early this month, while Okga Terminal in Gokseong-gun, South Jeolla Province, and Uljin Terminal in Uljin-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, also plan to shut down.

Intercity and express bus fares are set to rise by 9 percent starting in October due to deepening financial difficulties.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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