국토부 "버스요금 인상 검토...광역버스부터 준공영제 도입"
The transport ministry plans to raise bus fares and introduce a semi-public bus management system.
Measures include increasing budgets for drivers to meet their demands.
Yoon Jung-min provides a closer look.
In a bid to stop bus drivers going on strike Wednesday, the transport ministry announced that the government will increase bus fares by 200 Korean won, or about seventeen cents, starting with lines based in Gyeonggi-do Province and implement a semi-public bus management system, which means the buses will be managed partially by the government.
"As discussed, bus fares will go up by 200 won. The fares in the Chungcheong-do Provinces, Sejong city and Gyeongsangnam-do Province are also expected to increase by the end of this year."
The announcement came after transport minister Kim Hyun-mee discussed ways to prevent the strike with ruling party leader Lee Hae-chan and Gyeonggi-do governor Lee Jae-myung.
Once the semi-public system is adopted, the government is likely to compensate losses for long-distance buses or inter-city buses.
The bus unions have been demanding a wage hike and more support from the government, claiming they will be paid less if work hours decrease due to the mandatory 52-hour workweek system.
The government cut the maximum work hours from 68 to 52 per week last year, and companies with more than 300 employees must abide by the rule. Bus companies were granted a one year grace period, which expires in July.
The government's latest decision is likely to affect last-minute negotiation talks among the unions and management.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.
