Intense Heat in Incheon: Complaints about Air Conditioning on Bus 515

As scorching heat wave continues with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, citizens using Incheon Bus 515 are voicing their discomfort.

According to a report by YTN on the 12th, over 20 complaints have been received regarding the air conditioning not functioning properly on Bus 515 since June. Complaints about the cooling conditions of the 515 bus have been repeatedly raised in some online communities as well.

On this route, passengers are experiencing discomfort due to excessively high temperatures not only during the daytime when temperatures rise but also during school commuting and rush hours.

While the air conditioning is operational, the indoor temperature reportedly exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, with instances where passengers have had to bring their own fans.

Bus drivers, drenched in sweat, have also expressed their frustration. One driver commented, "I can turn it on really strong for a moment, but doing so consumes too much gas, so we have no choice but to do it this way. I'm sorry."

The transportation industry points to the vehicle's operating distance and fuel efficiency issues as reasons for limited cooling. The 515 bus must operate over 200 kilometers a day, and with insufficient opportunities to refuel in between, it is difficult to keep the air conditioning running strongly.

As a result, there are calls for adjustments to the overall operation of the route, such as changing the interval of bus departures or increasing the number of vehicles.

The city of Incheon stated that the 515 route is being operated normally according to the operational plan finalized five years ago, and is considering holding meetings to address citizens' discomfort.

Given the vulnerability of children and the elderly to high temperatures, there are urgent calls for improvements in the cooling environment on public transportation.

Image source: ytn, reference photos for better understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank