BUS AND SUBWAY INTEGRATION IN SEOUL: A CASE OF DOING NOTHING

Public transportation provided by small private operators has attracted much attention, particularly in the developing world. In general, private services have been found to be both effective and profitable in contrast to those provided by large public systems. In many countries, public and private transportation services run side by side, which makes planning complex. An example from Seoul, South Korea, is discussed that features an exclusively private bus system and a publicly operated subway network. The two systems display quite different characteristics: the bus services were established long ago and are run by 90 predominantly small operators who are financially independent. Most of the subway is new, capital-intensive, and operated by a large public corporation that is heavily subsidized. Because the subway network was greatly expanded in 1985, the government planned to integrate the two disparate systems. The task proved so complex, however, that the government chose to do nothing. The obstacles to the integration plan are examined, and the bus companies' spontaneous adjustment to the subway expansion is reviewed. The discussion reveals how a viable strategy for planned change can be designed.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1988/1202/1202-013.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/030904801X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1202, Transit Issues and Recent Advances in Planning and Operations Techniques. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Dagerman, Lo
  • Won, Jaimu
• Publication Date: 1988

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 99-105
• Monograph Title: Transit issues and recent advances in planning and operations techniques
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1202
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus transportation; Governments; Integrated systems; Intercity bus lines; No build; Private enterprise; Strategic planning; Subways
• Uncontrolled Terms: Integration
• Geographic Terms: Seoul (Korea)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00489720
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 030904801X
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Nov 30 1989 12:00AM