Bad bus driver crackdown in Gwangju

[anichion]

This seems to be a running theme this winter- crackdowns...

I heard this on GFN's evening show so i don't have a decent link for it.
Basically, Gwangju is going to have personnel ride the buses and evaluate driver behavior and driving techniques. Drivers who perform well will receive some kind of reward. Drivers who don't face some kind of punishment- which I didn't hear very well but I think the host said "the pole".

Well I hope it is not "the pole".

How are the city bus drivers in your area? Mine mostly play music loud and take sharp turns too fast, but act nice to passengers.

[PsychoGemini]

I'm in Gwangju and I'd love to see what, if any punishments are meted out to drivers.  I haven't had too many problems with the buses I normally take, but the sudden starts and stops are pretty annoying when it's standing room only.

[katrine]

Gwangju girl here too. I've never had a problem with politeness, but the driving is ALWAYS terrible. There's been more times than I can count where a driver has almost hit a person, or worse, a child. The sudden starts and stops are obnoxious too.

[Janitor]

I am in Ulsan and the bus drivers here go from alright to horrible. Sometimes they have selective stops when I have hit the button and the have not opened the doors despite my polite asking only to respond with "yeah yeah OK..." and then letting me off at the NEXT bus stop.

Other times it has just been bad driving and harsh stops that send old ladies flying towards the front of the bus.

[mr sam teacher]

An ajosshi once told me that in Korea, taxi drivers are failed fighter pilots, and bus drivers are failed taxi drivers. Hence the anger and aggression that gets taken out on the brakes... ;)

[PsychoGemini]

An ajosshi once told me that in Korea, taxi drivers are failed fighter pilots, and bus drivers are failed taxi drivers. Hence the anger and aggression that gets taken out on the brakes... ;)

That sounds about right.  I heard the failed taxi drivers part but I did not know about the failed fighter pilot part.

[grajoker]

comment removed...

[LemonWater]

The transportation system in Gwangju is in general pretty bad. There has been talk for years about expanding the subway system, but the taxi and bus lobbyists are a powerful force. So instead, there is just a terrible mess during rush hour.

I've found most of the drivers to be good. On slow days they are even outgoing and friendly. Some may drive a little agressively, but I think they have to, to keep the busses on schedule.

[sweet_potato]

The buses are pretty rough at times, but frankly, it gets me to places on time. Buses in Toronto are never this reliable and quick. It took a little getting used to, but I do like the efficiency here.