Green and Sustainable Transportation in Republic of Korea (part 1)

This is my note and documentation about my first experience using public transport in other country, out of my country: from Incheon (International Airport of Korea) to Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (HOAM Faculty House, SNU), on Sunday, November 22nd (afternoon), 2015.

Landed at Incheon International Airport, the Republic of Korea after nearly seven hours of air trip from the International Airport Ngurah Rai, Bali, Indonesia. I open and reread the note from Local Committee of APELA “how to use public transportation”:

To Hotel : Hoam Faculty House, Seoul Nat’l University – Tel. : +82-2-880-0311

Address: 239-1 Nakseongde-dong, Gwanaku, Seoul, Korea

Direction: From Incheon International Airport

• Take an Airport Limousine Bus #6017 bound for HOAM Faculty House at gate 6B
• Get off at last station: Hoam Faculty House

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Out of the airport building sections arrival, I could easily use the airport bus (according to the guidance of the committee) in order to arrive at my destination, Hoam Faculty House - SNU, Seoul. Bus ticket costs 15,000 Won, and takes about 30-40 minutes to arrive at the final station, the HOAM Faculty House, SNU, Seoul.

The atmosphere in the Incheon Airport Limousine Bus is comfortable. There is a TV set which broadcast a selection of talented singers. One of the judges I know, Lee Hong Ki, a singer and drama player in “Modern Farmer.”

On the way to the airport bus I gave much attention to the situation in the road rather than looking at the TV above the driver seat. Every time our bus stopped to drop off passengers at the bus stop, I captured the view at bus stops and on the road.

A lot of public transport users are seen as well as pedestrians. The stops is placed such that passengers easily up and down to the bus, but still safe. Zebra-Crosswalk markings made twice wider than the usual ones I saw in Indonesia’s cities.

Public transport and pedestrian’s connectivity is a top priority in handling the circulation space of the city. Bicyclists are also seen quite a lot. There is few motorcyclist but very rare. There are some stall boxes resembles containers which are located at some corners of the street, close to the entrance of the subway and bicycle parking.

Orderly under control, that's the impression I saw the atmosphere in the street. Vehicle stopped behind the line markers. Young cops look friendly there to be ready to be asked for help, for information by people who need.

At each stop I saw passengers, not much, probably because the bus arrival intervals for each of these it is not long. The bus stop looks quite simple, but informative. There is a route information, hours of operation, time allocation, tariffs, and telp no. of information. And of course there is a bus route map.

Just take about 30 minutes of trip by public bus, I arrived at the destination, HOAM Faculty House, which is the final station of bus route 1617. What a wonderful and unforgettable experience! I am so grateful!

❤ ASA ❤