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Low-floor buses have no steps at one or more of their entrances. They also have a low floor for part or all of the passengers' cabins. I first became aware of low-floor buses a few years ago, when I stayed in Hawaii for academic purposes for several months, before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Hawaii's main mode of public transportation was called the bus, without distinction between the city bus, intercity bus and broad-area bus. The unique name was interesting, but what caught my attention most was that almost all of the buses were low-floor buses and were actively used by transportation-disadvantaged commuters.
It was very common to see disabled people in their wheelchairs waiting at bus stops. Once the low-floor bus stopped, an extendable ramp automatically came out slowly from the entrance to the sidewalk, making it easier for wheelchair users to board. If it were not automatic, the bus driver would get out and pull out the ramp to help the disabled person get on. After boarding, the wheelchair was secured safely. When getting off, it was done in reverse order. Naturally, these processes took a considerable amount of time, but none of the passengers seemed to be uncomfortable.
The deep impressions that formed in my mind then and there made me think about the low-floor buses in our country after returning home, and I discovered that lots of low-floor buses are already in operation in our country. According to the latest statistics, more than 70 percent of the buses running in the cities nationwide are low-floor buses, and the goal is to reach 100 percent by 2025.
The problem is their practical use. I take low-floor buses frequently. However, I have hardly ever seen disabled people in wheelchairs, toddler moms pushing strollers or elderly people using walkers boarding the low-floor buses. In my judgment, the chief role of our low-floor buses at the moment seems to be nothing other than helping people get on and off without using steps.
How did this happen? I guess there is an inconvenient truth. Unlike the social atmosphere that cares for the weak, normal members of our society do not want to endure accompanying inconvenience. It is well-known that politicians depend on these voters. Though they actively influence and promote the expansion of facilities for transportation-disadvantaged commuters ― that is about it. So, strongly enforcing detailed policies for the actual use of low-floor buses by the transportation-disadvantaged commuters would be a kind of belling the cat.
How can we often see the "beautiful moments" on the low-floor buses, as I saw in Hawaii? It will not be easy to find the optimal solution in our existing situation. Nevertheless, we should consider feasible things, even though they look trivial.
What about this policy? Let us take full advantage of our well-established internet infrastructure. Currently, an electronic signboard at each bus stop only shows whether the next bus is a low-floor bus or not. From now on, whether a transportation-disadvantaged person is on board or is about to be should be indicated in real time. Also, this information should be distributed to all who have installed the relevant app. By increasing predictability, ordinary passengers can be ready for caring for the weak, resulting in a lovely and proud low-floor bus system. Just a little extra effort from the authorities is needed for this, and it is quite possible with our level of technology.
The government is funding bus companies with huge budgets to purchase low-floor buses. The correct use of low-floor buses for their intended purpose can lead to the efficient expenditure of our taxes. It is time for those actions.
The writer (sochan57@naver.com) is a retired principal of Gunsan Girls' High School.
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