Incheon City to Waive Tunnel Tolls and Expand Public Transport During Lunar New Year Holiday... Implementing Traffic Measures for 'Livelihood and Safety'

Incheon City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) has announced a comprehensive traffic plan to enhance the mobility of citizens and reduce the burden on livelihoods in light of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. The core of the plan is to waive tolls for urban tunnels during the holiday period and significantly increase the operation of express buses and ferries that are expected to see a surge in passengers.

Incheon City has designated the period from February 13 to 18 as the 'Special Traffic Measures Period for the Lunar New Year Holiday' and will implement high-intensity transport and safety measures in collaboration with relevant agencies.

This plan comes as public transport usage is expected to decrease by about 32% compared to normal times during the holiday period, yet it focuses on specific modes of transport where demand for homecoming and ancestral rites is concentrated.

Firstly, express buses and intercity buses, which are expected to see a surge in passengers, will have an additional 8 and 9 buses respectively deployed to increase the number of services. Additionally, two more coastal ferries will be added to accommodate homecoming passengers from island regions, increasing the total number of services to 7. Incheon Subway Lines 1 and 2 will operate late-night services six times a day for two days from the 17th to the 18th, providing a means for citizens returning home late.

Support measures for citizens burdened by rising prices during the holiday season have also been included. The city will fully waive tolls for the Wonjeoksan Tunnel and Manwolsan Tunnel for four days from the 15th to the 18th during the Lunar New Year holiday. Furthermore, to promote the use of traditional markets, temporary parking will be allowed on roads around the markets, aiming to alleviate the burden of holiday shopping and invigorate local businesses.

Safety management to prevent traffic accidents will also be strengthened. The city plans to complete pre-safety inspections of major facilities such as buses, taxis, and terminals before the holiday begins. In particular, it will check the working system to prevent overwork among transport workers and conduct safety training. During the holiday period, a 'Special Traffic Measures Situation Room' will be activated to respond in real-time to emergencies such as unexpected accidents or adverse weather conditions.

Jang Cheol-bae, Director of the Incheon City Transportation Bureau, stated, "We focused on tailored operations based on demand forecasting and on-site safety management," and added, "We will thoroughly manage everything until the end so that all citizens can safely and comfortably spend the Lunar New Year holiday with their families."