"Is a Bus a Private Car?" Seoul City Responds to Complaints About Radio Use on Buses

A complaint has been filed requesting a ban on bus drivers listening to the radio while operating city buses in Seoul.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council recently received a petition calling for the creation of an ordinance to prohibit radio use by Seoul city bus drivers.

The complainant expressed frustration, stating, "When a Seoul city bus driver plays the radio, it causes discomfort to all passengers on board." The petitioner added, "A Seoul city bus is not the driver's private car, and it is a burden for passengers to be forced to listen to whatever the driver happens to be listening to."

The complainant also emphasized that bus operations are a service industry, pointing out that the sound of the radio is a disturbance to passengers who want a quiet ride.

The petition also highlighted specific issues allegedly caused by listening to the radio.

The complainant claimed that because drivers are listening to the radio, they sometimes fail to notice when a passenger presses the stop button and do not open the rear doors. Furthermore, the petitioner alleged that some drivers sing along loudly to popular songs, while others drive recklessly when asked to turn the radio off.

However, the Seoul Metropolitan Government maintains that a blanket ban is difficult to implement.

The city stated, "Listening to the radio is an act generally permitted in private vehicles, and there are currently no regulations under existing law that restrict the act of listening to the radio itself."

Regarding the creation of an ordinance, the city expressed caution, stating, "Regulations on banning radio use require comprehensive consideration of public opinion and operating conditions," and added that "the establishment of a uniform prohibition regulation is a matter that requires careful review."

Nevertheless, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to urge bus companies and drivers to exercise restraint to minimize passenger discomfort.

The city stated that it is requesting transport companies to maintain appropriate volume levels, noting that playing the radio at excessively high volumes while driving or broadcasting content that may cause offense to citizens for long periods can lead to public inconvenience.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Kim Na-on | Graphics by Lee Jung-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.