As city bus strikes lead to near-total service shutdowns, there is increasing demand for buses to be designated as 'essential public services' to protect citizens' mobility rights.
Labor groups have pushed back against this designation, arguing it would restrict workers' rights to collective action. However, experts emphasize the need for a system that balances the right to strike with citizens' mobility rights.
According to the Seoul city government, during a bus strike in March of last year, the operation rate was only 4.4%, and during a two-day strike in January this year, it was just 6.8%. In Busan, Ulsan, and Changwon in 2025, bus operation rates dropped to 0% on strike days.
When bus services halt, citizens face significant disruptions in their daily lives, including commuting to work, attending school, and visiting hospitals. This is especially problematic in areas without subway access, where alternative transportation options are limited.
Being designated as an essential public service does not prohibit strikes. Employers and unions negotiate essential maintenance agreements to determine the minimum services and personnel required during strikes, ensuring that critical services continue.
In contrast, city buses in Seoul are not yet classified as essential public services, leading to repeated service shutdowns during strikes.
The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union recently held a press conference, stating, "If designated as essential public services, workers' rights to collective action could be severely restricted," and called on the government to halt its push for this designation. The union argues that improving safety staffing, working conditions, and addressing structural issues in the semi-public system should take precedence.
Conversely, citizens argue that buses are as essential for daily life as subways, and therefore, a minimum level of service should be guaranteed.
A worker residing in Gangbuk District stated, "While subways maintain some level of service during strikes, buses come to a near-complete halt, which is hard to understand. We should respect the right to strike, but it shouldn't impede citizens' commutes."
The semi-public system allows private bus companies to operate vehicles while local governments manage routes and fares, covering deficits with public funds. This system is implemented in Seoul and 11 other local governments nationwide, with support amounting to approximately 2.4 trillion won last year.
According to the Seoul Bus Transportation Association, the standard daily operating cost for city buses in Seoul has nearly doubled from about 440,000 won in 2004 to 860,000 won in 2023, with labor costs now accounting for 75% of total expenses. Given that the semi-public system is funded by taxpayer money, there is growing support for maintaining at least minimal public services during strikes.
Currently, a bill to include semi-public city buses as essential public services has been introduced in the National Assembly.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has emphasized that designating essential public services is not about eliminating the right to strike but is a necessary measure to protect citizens' fundamental mobility rights.
Experts suggest that maintaining 20-30% of normal service levels during peak commuting hours, especially in areas lacking alternative transportation, should be considered. However, they also caution that the scope of essential maintenance work and minimum service levels should be defined reasonably to avoid excessively restricting workers' rights. Additionally, enhancing financial transparency in the semi-public system and improving management of bus companies are also necessary.
Transportation experts agree that reforming the semi-public system and ensuring citizens' mobility rights are not mutually exclusive issues but should be pursued together.
Labor groups have pushed back against this designation, arguing it would restrict workers' rights to collective action. However, experts emphasize the need for a system that balances the right to strike with citizens' mobility rights.
According to the Seoul city government, during a bus strike in March of last year, the operation rate was only 4.4%, and during a two-day strike in January this year, it was just 6.8%. In Busan, Ulsan, and Changwon in 2025, bus operation rates dropped to 0% on strike days.
When bus services halt, citizens face significant disruptions in their daily lives, including commuting to work, attending school, and visiting hospitals. This is especially problematic in areas without subway access, where alternative transportation options are limited.
What Are Essential Public Services? Minimum Service During Strikes
Essential public services refer to public services that significantly impact citizens' lives, safety, and daily activities. Currently, railways, urban subways, air traffic control, hospitals, and utilities like electricity and water are designated as essential public services under labor laws.Being designated as an essential public service does not prohibit strikes. Employers and unions negotiate essential maintenance agreements to determine the minimum services and personnel required during strikes, ensuring that critical services continue.
In contrast, city buses in Seoul are not yet classified as essential public services, leading to repeated service shutdowns during strikes.
"Protecting Citizens' Mobility Rights Is Important Alongside Labor Rights"
Labor unions oppose the designation of buses as essential public services.The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union recently held a press conference, stating, "If designated as essential public services, workers' rights to collective action could be severely restricted," and called on the government to halt its push for this designation. The union argues that improving safety staffing, working conditions, and addressing structural issues in the semi-public system should take precedence.
Conversely, citizens argue that buses are as essential for daily life as subways, and therefore, a minimum level of service should be guaranteed.
A worker residing in Gangbuk District stated, "While subways maintain some level of service during strikes, buses come to a near-complete halt, which is hard to understand. We should respect the right to strike, but it shouldn't impede citizens' commutes."
Need for Minimum Service Guarantees in Expanded Semi-Public System
Experts explain that the shift of city buses from a primarily private system to a semi-public system supported by local governments is a key factor in the discussion about designating them as essential public services.The semi-public system allows private bus companies to operate vehicles while local governments manage routes and fares, covering deficits with public funds. This system is implemented in Seoul and 11 other local governments nationwide, with support amounting to approximately 2.4 trillion won last year.
According to the Seoul Bus Transportation Association, the standard daily operating cost for city buses in Seoul has nearly doubled from about 440,000 won in 2004 to 860,000 won in 2023, with labor costs now accounting for 75% of total expenses. Given that the semi-public system is funded by taxpayer money, there is growing support for maintaining at least minimal public services during strikes.
Currently, a bill to include semi-public city buses as essential public services has been introduced in the National Assembly.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has emphasized that designating essential public services is not about eliminating the right to strike but is a necessary measure to protect citizens' fundamental mobility rights.
Experts suggest that maintaining 20-30% of normal service levels during peak commuting hours, especially in areas lacking alternative transportation, should be considered. However, they also caution that the scope of essential maintenance work and minimum service levels should be defined reasonably to avoid excessively restricting workers' rights. Additionally, enhancing financial transparency in the semi-public system and improving management of bus companies are also necessary.
Transportation experts agree that reforming the semi-public system and ensuring citizens' mobility rights are not mutually exclusive issues but should be pursued together.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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