Jincheon-gun freezes bus route fares within the jurisdiction and Eumseong-gun area. Jincheon-gun announced on the 20th that amid North Chungcheong Province’s decision to increase bus fares, it has decided not to increase bus fares for rural bus routes operating in the Eumseong-gun area and within the jurisdiction, excluding the Cheongju route (route 711).
Chungcheongbuk-do announced that it will increase city and rural bus fares for the first time in five years since 2019 from 1,500 won to 1,700 won for adults, from 1,200 won to 1,350 won for teenagers, and from 750 won to 850 won for children, starting on the 23rd. There is a bar.
A military official said, “This decision was made after discussions with transportation companies in Eumseong-gun and Jincheon-gun to reduce the burden on residents in a difficult economic environment ahead of the implementation of the free bus project in 2025.”
Meanwhile, the Jincheon-gun Waterworks and Sewerage Office announced on the 20th that it is effectively improving the water flow rate through the local waterworks modernization project.
The water flow rate refers to the rate at which tap water sent from a water purification plant reaches each household and is paid as a fee. A high water flow rate means that less tap water is lost due to leakage or leakage during the transport process, and is considered a key indicator of water supply.
It is known that a 1% increase in water flow rate has the economic effect of saving about 84 million won per year, and from an environmental perspective, it can reduce greenhouse gases by 6,449 tons per year.
To ensure a stable supply of tap water, the county has invested KRW 21.7 billion (KRW 12.8 billion in national funds and KRW 8.9 billion in local funds) since 2020 to improve overall water supply facilities, including maintenance of the water pipe network L = 20km, construction of 22 block systems, and establishment of a maintenance system. We have been pursuing a project to modernize local water supply systems to improve water quality.
Among these, the water supply area of Saseok-ri, Jincheon-eup and Saseok Reservoir in Munbaek-myeon, which were selected as project sites, achieved the target water flow rate early by increasing the water flow rate, which was only 59.6% before the project implementation, to 85.5% by 2023 (cumulative).
Through this, it is expected that water leakage of approximately 200,000 tons can be reduced each year and the annual budget of approximately 90 million won (approximately 900 million won per 10 years) can be saved.
An official from the county waterworks and sewerage office said, “We will quickly promote the local waterworks modernization project to dramatically improve the water flow rate and achieve sustainable ESG management of waterworks.”
Economy Queen reporter Choi Hana photo Jincheon-gun
How can initiatives like free bus services impact ridership and local economies in suburban areas?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Transportation Expert
Time.news Editor (T): Good afternoon, and welcome to our segment on local governance and public transportation! Today, we have a special guest with us—Dr. Lee Joon-suk, an expert in transportation economics. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Lee!
Dr. Lee (L): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such important developments in our transportation system.
T: Recently, Jincheon-gun announced they will freeze bus fares for rural routes, excluding the route to Cheongju, even as North Chungcheong Province plans to increase fares. What do you think about this decision?
L: It’s an interesting move. By freezing fares, Jincheon-gun is showing a commitment to support its residents during tough economic times. This decision can alleviate financial pressure on families, particularly with the anticipated rise in living costs.
T: Absolutely! The fare increase in the broader region—rising from 1,500 won to 1,700 won for adults for the first time in five years—is significant. What implications does this have on the overall transport ecosystem?
L: An increase in fares can often lead to a decline in ridership, especially in rural areas. This is concerning because public transport is essential for those who rely on it for daily commutes. By contrast, Jincheon-gun’s freeze could actually attract riders from the surrounding regions who are looking for more affordable options.
T: That makes sense. There’s also a mention of a free bus project planned for implementation in 2025. How do you think this initiative will affect local transit users?
L: The free bus project is a commendable initiative that can significantly improve accessibility. It may encourage more people to utilize public transport, thereby reducing traffic congestion and environmental impacts. However, it’s crucial that funding and infrastructure are adequately planned to support such a transition.
T: Speaking of support, there’s a broader picture beyond just fares. Jincheon-gun’s efforts to modernize local waterworks alongside their transport strategies indicate a holistic approach to community welfare. How interlinked do you believe transportation and essential services like water supply are?
L: Very much so. Efficient public transportation is integral to the functioning of a community. People need both clean water and accessible transport to thrive. Investing in one often complements the other; for instance, better transportation can aid in the infrastructure development needed for services like water supply. It showcases a comprehensive strategy by local governments.
T: That’s an insightful perspective! what advice would you give to policymakers as they navigate these changes in public transportation?
L: Policymakers should engage in open dialogues with residents to understand their needs better. Balancing fare increases with supportive measures—such as freezing fares in certain areas—shows a responsive governance style. They should also consider long-term sustainability in not just transportation, but all essential services to build resilient communities.
T: Great insights, Dr. Lee! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us today.
L: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure discussing these pivotal topics!
T: And thank you to our readers for tuning in. We hope you found this conversation as enlightening as we did. Stay tuned for more updates on local developments!