Pre-announcement of Legislation such Enforcement decree of「Act on Promotion of The Transportation Convenience of Mobility Disadvantaged Persons」(July 19~ August 29)
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Minister Won HeeRyong) stated that it announces the legislation of amendment bill for Enforcement Decree of ｢Act on Promotion of the Transportation Convenience of Mobility Disadvantaged Persons｣ containing the details to make the introduction of low-floor bus when replacing or scraping the route bus mandatory in advance from July 19.
It was pointed out that in case that the bus transportation operator selects the introduction of low-floor bus, Government has supported* the purchase amount but since the increase of lowfloor bus has been low (According to 3rd Plan to Increase Lowfloor Bus, the goal of 2021: 42%, Performance: 30.6%), there is limitation to secure the mobility right of the transportation disadvantaged persons with existing arbitrary way.
* Subsidy the difference in purchase amount between general bus and low-floor bus with the matching fund of local government
(Seoul 40%, other regions: 50%)
As 「Promotion of the Transportation Convenience of Mobility Disadvantaged Persons」, which specifies that the transportation operator is obliged to introduce the low-floor bus when replacing and scraping the route bus is amended, this amendment bill was prepared to specify the criteria and procedure applied when the lower statute approves the mandatory subject to introduce low-floor bus and the exception.
Major contents of Amendment Bill announced in advance are as follows.
① Provision on bus type subject to mandatory introduction of low-floor bus(Article 14-4 of Enforcement Decree)
The types of bus to be introduced mandatorily from Jan 19, 2023 when replacing and scraping route bus are intra-city ․ rural bus and - All types of bus except the intercity bus among the types operated by route bus transportation business specified in Passenger Transport Service Act (Express type, nonstop type, and general type) are the introduction subjects.
* When the intercity bus is promoted with low-floor bus, it is promoted as "Bus installed with wheelchair Lift" due to low profitability of passenger transport as the cargo space together with the wheelchair space is included low-floor space.
However, in case that the route bus is operated using seat bus such as metropolitan express type, etc, considering that it is the situation that currently, seat-type low-floor bus is being developed, it has a plan to promote the mandatory introduction from Jan 01, 2027.
* The low-floor bus already distributed (combined use for standing and seat bus) cannot run due to insufficient safety devices such as seal safety belt, lane departure warning system, advanced emergency braking system, etc. to drive on the road for the exclusive use of motor vehicles, etc.
② Preparation of system criteria and procedure recognized as the exception of low-floor bus introduction(Article 4-2 of Enforcement Decree)
In case that the introduction and operation of low-floor bus are difficult inevitably due to road structure, limitation of facility in spite of mandatory introduction subject, the bus transportation operator may request the approval of the exception for low-floor bus introduction to the traffic administration agency (local government) by route.
Traffic administration agency which received the approval of exception request may approve the exception (including pending for certain period) of introduction only when it is recognized that the introduction of low-floor bus is difficult if there is problem of road structure or facility that make the operation of low-floor bus difficult within the relevant route and when considering the characteristics by local government and the business status.
To secure the transparency and the objectivity in reviewing the approval of exception, in case that the traffic administration agency approves the exception for low-floor bus introduction, it provides that listing to the opinion of the organization of the transportation disadvantaged persons such as disabled, aged, etc.
and related expert is mandatory, It is institutionalized that Traffic administration agency posts the exception approval route, reason to decide the exception and improvement plan on the internet homepage of competent traffic administration agency by every end of January and submit them to MOLIT.
Yoon Jin-Hwan, director general for Comprehensive Transport Policy of MOLIT said "It is expected that the overall public transport convenience for overall people not only the walking handicapped but also aged and the family accompanied with infants, etc. would be improved greatly by the implementation of mandatory introduction of low-floor bus, and stated “In future, we will seek diverse support measures and promote the system maintenance actively to build the traffic environment without obstacle.
This amendment bill for ｢Enforcement Decree and Regulation of Act on Promotion of Transportation Convenience of Mobility Disadvantaged Persons｣ will be promulgated during December after passing through the discussion of relevant authorities, review of regulatory and Legislative Office after pre-announcement of legislation (by August 29).
Full text can be viewed in "Policy Info/Legal Info/Legislation Notice" at MOLIT homepage and if there is any opinion for amendment bill, it can be submitted through MOLIT homepage.
* Comment Submission: 11 Doum 6-ro, Sejong City. Government Complex-Sejong City 30103 Building No. 6, Room No. 622. Community Transport and Welfare Service Division, Transport and Logistic Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport /
Telephone: 044-201-3870 Fax: 044-201-5581
Please refer to the attached PDF.