Ulsan Metropolitan City restored bus route 126 on the first day of the ninth elected administration to fulfill a key campaign promise [1].
The move aims to reduce citizen inconvenience and improve public transportation access between the Ulju-Deokha depot, the city center, and Dong-gu [1, 2].
Mayor Kim Sang-wook said the restoration of the route focuses on addressing the uncomfortable aspects of citizens' lives. The route, which was previously discontinued in 2024 [1], serves as a primary link for residents traveling to the city center and coastal areas [1, 2].
Local passengers expressed relief at the return of the service. Kang Su-yeon, a passenger on the 126 bus, said she will use the service frequently to visit family and travel to the beach [1].
The restoration was prioritized as the first official act of the new administration to demonstrate a commitment to public service and infrastructure improvement [1, 2]. By reinstating the 126 route [1], the city government intends to resolve long-standing transit gaps that occurred after the previous discontinuation [1].
“The restoration of the route focuses on addressing the uncomfortable aspects of citizens' lives.”
The immediate restoration of the 126 bus route serves as a political signal from Mayor Kim Sang-wook's administration, prioritizing tangible, small-scale infrastructure wins to build public trust early in the term. By addressing a specific transit gap that occurred in 2024, the administration is positioning itself as responsive to the daily logistical needs of the working-class and elderly populations in the Ulju and Dong-gu districts.
