Transport for the disabled will be expanded during the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. The photo shows the U.S. athletes moving in to the PyeongChang athletes’ village on March 4.
By Kim Eun-young and Yoon Sojung
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on March 5 that it has set up additional public transportation measures so that athletes and tourists can avoid any inconvenience when traveling to and from the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
The ministry will increase the number of wheelchair seats to 15, from the existing five, inside the high-speed KTX Gyeonggang Line trains that carry passengers from Incheon International Airport to all Paralympic venues.
Korail will increase the number of KTX attendants working with its disabled service so that Paralympic goers can get on or off the train more easily. To use the service, you can make a reservation by calling 82-2-1599-7777. Services in Korean, English, Japanese and Mandarin are available. You can also visit the information center to ask for the service.
Visitors to Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon, the three host cities, can use a total of 48 free buses and 139 minibuses that are now equipped with seats for wheelchairs.
A total of 60 seats — 10 seats onboard each of the six train cars from No. 3 to No. 8 on KTX Gyeonggang Line trains — will be allocated for advance reservations for the disabled, whether or not they can walk without difficulty. Those who wish to use the service, including non-Korean travelers, need to make a reservation within Korea.
The land ministry hopes that such measures will help with mobility at the Games so that everyone who comes to the PyeongChang Paralympics will be able to take part in a successful Games.
eykim86@korea.kr
