Seoul to provide school buses for 33 elementary schools

Yongsan Elementary School in central Seoul is surrounded by a railroad and a soon-to-be-removed elevated road. The situation is potentially dangerous to most of its students who have to cross the railroad on their way to school or back home. However, there is no alternative for them at least for now.

Students at Hongyeon Elementary School in western Seoul have to go over a desolate hill or walk up a 300-meter slope to go to school.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that it would provide school buses for 33 elementary schools in the city that are distant from students’ homes or vulnerable to traffic accidents or crimes, starting the upcoming semester. The city government said it selected the schools by examining the availability of parking spaces and entry roads. The city has earmarked 2.6 billion won (2.4 million U.S. dollars), or an average of 70 million won (64,641 dollars) per each school. The funds include the costs of 35-seat buses, auto insurance and drivers.

The current regulations set the commuting distance for elementary schools at 30 minutes or less on foot and within 1.5 kilometers in distance.

According to a study by Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co. in 2013, 44.5 percent of elementary students in Seoul commuted to school alone and 89.1 percent did so on foot, indicating that they are exposed to risks of traffic accidents or crimes.