On a rainy morning in Ulsan’s Dong-gu district, residents huddled along the narrow roadside, umbrellas in hand and shopping bags at their feet, waiting anxiously for the next village bus. With no sidewalk or proper bus bay in sight—just a lone signpost marking the stop—their eyes darted between approaching vehicles and the curb, ready to step back at a moment’s notice. According to KS Ilbo, this scene is a daily reality for many in the area, and it’s raising urgent questions about safety and public transportation standards across South Korea.
Concerns about passenger safety at bus stops aren’t the only transportation issue making headlines. Just days earlier, a major highway bus company ignited a heated debate by issuing a policy barring homeless individuals from boarding, citing passenger complaints about odor so severe that some riders switched buses at rest stops. As reported by Newsis, the company’s internal notice instructed staff to prevent boarding of anyone appearing homeless, while urging employees to avoid verbal or physical confrontations. The notice included a photo of a person believed to be homeless, alongside a statement: “Due to odor, customers have transferred to other buses at rest stops.”
One bus driver’s testimony, shared on an online forum and cited by Newsis, painted a vivid picture: “I’ve had this person on my bus before. The smell lingered for two days. I felt terrible for the other passengers and was at a loss for what to do.” Another driver recalled, “If you look on the back of the ticket, there’s a clause allowing refusal of boarding to persons with unclean personal conditions. If he tries again, I’ll have to refuse.”
Online, netizens weighed in with mixed reactions. Some empathized with the company’s predicament, arguing that public transportation must consider the comfort of all riders. “Public transit is for everyone, but if someone’s body odor is that strong, maybe they should use deodorant or shower and change clothes in the morning,” one commenter suggested. Others recounted similar experiences on subways and buses, expressing understanding for the drivers and staff caught in the middle.
These incidents highlight a broader challenge facing South Korea’s public transportation system: how to balance inclusivity, safety, and comfort for all users. While the highway bus company’s policy is rooted in existing ticket terms—allowing refusal of boarding to those with unclean personal conditions—it has sparked debate about where the line should be drawn and how best to serve vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to address another pressing issue: the shortage of qualified bus drivers, particularly for local and village bus routes. On May 12, 2026, the Seoul Jung-gu Seoul Middle-aged Tomorrow Center hosted a ‘village bus hiring-linked education’ session, bringing together 22 job seekers aged 50 to 65 who hold bus licenses. According to Donga Ilbo, the program aims to connect middle-aged workers with transportation companies grappling with staffing shortages, offering up to 3.6 million KRW in incentives for one year of continuous employment.
For many participants, the program represents a second chance at stable work. One attendee, who had run a small business for over 20 years before closing shop, reflected, “Staying home made me feel even more stagnant. I wanted something new, and the safe driving education is genuinely helpful for passenger safety and accident prevention.” Another, who had a bus license gathering dust for three decades, said, “Hearing directly from industry insiders about hiring and working conditions made it all feel real. They turned my old license into a valuable qualification.”
The program doesn’t just benefit job seekers. Companies receive monthly support of up to 400,000 KRW per new hire, and contract workers can earn as much as 5.7 million KRW over three months. There’s also a mentorship system in place: veteran drivers partner with newcomers, providing hands-on guidance during a crucial learning period. As one newly hired driver shared, “Driving a nine-meter bus was daunting at first, but having a mentor by my side for a week or two made a big difference.”
Retention is another advantage. Unlike younger drivers, who often move on to higher-paying city bus jobs after gaining experience, middle-aged drivers tend to stay longer with the same company. Some, like those at Ilwon Transportation, continue working into their mid-70s, as the company does not enforce a mandatory retirement age. “Once they’re settled in, many of our older drivers stay for the long haul,” said a company representative.
Still, not every aspect of the transportation system is running smoothly. The situation in Ulsan’s Dong-gu district, where residents must wait for village buses on the edge of busy roads, underscores the persistent infrastructure gaps. The bus stop near the Hyundai Apartment complex, serving buses every 20 minutes and heavily used by students and locals, lacks even a basic sidewalk or shelter. Residents have repeatedly voiced concerns, especially during inclement weather. “It’s even more dangerous when it rains,” said a 68-year-old local. “If I’m carrying an umbrella or shopping bags, there’s nowhere to step back from the traffic. I’m always on edge waiting for the bus.”
After a formal petition was filed on May 14, 2026, local officials pledged to investigate and consider relocating the stop to a safer location. However, as KS Ilbo reports, the process is anything but simple. Moving a bus stop requires careful consideration of road width, existing parking lots, nearby businesses, and the overall bus route. “We’ll conduct a field inspection and review possible alternatives,” a Ulsan city official said. “But finding a suitable replacement site isn’t always easy.”
Worryingly, the problem extends beyond a single stop. Several village bus stops across Dong-gu operate with nothing more than a roadside sign, leaving passengers exposed to traffic and increasing the risk of accidents. Areas near markets, along side streets, and by parking lot entrances are especially hazardous. Local authorities have committed to broader inspections and pledged to seek improvement measures, but solutions may be slow in coming.
As South Korea’s population ages and urban infrastructure strains under growing demand, the intersection of safety, staffing, and social responsibility in public transportation is coming into sharper focus. The recent controversies—from exclusionary boarding policies to precarious bus stops—have sparked soul-searching about how to build a system that is both efficient and humane. With new initiatives aimed at retraining and retaining middle-aged drivers, and with local governments responding to citizen concerns about safety, the country is inching toward solutions. Yet, the path forward will require balancing the needs of all riders, from the most vulnerable to the everyday commuter, ensuring that public transportation remains a lifeline rather than a source of anxiety.
For now, as residents stand on narrow curbs and bus companies navigate complex social challenges, the conversation about what it means to provide safe, accessible, and inclusive public transit continues—one bus stop, and one policy, at a time.