Initial Thoughts and Observations - Transportation

Getting around Changwon was initially difficult as I was unfamiliar with the city and most people don't know (or pretend not to understand) English.  During the first month, walking has been my main mode of transportation.  Besides the exercise benefits, walking is convenient because I do not need to depend on a Korean to get where I want to go.  It also helps that most of what I have wanted or needed thus far can be found within reasonable walking distance.  Despite these advantages, walking can be a hazardous task as well.  I didn't take long for me to realize that I must be completely alert when walking along the streets as drivers, especially those on motorcycles and scooters, are not above using the sidewalk to decrease their travel time and will not always yield to pedestrians in the streets and in crosswalks.  Also, some drivers, especially those driving buses or 2-wheeled vehicles, will treat red lights as merely a suggestion.  I've recently discovered that South Korea has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the world!

The bus network is very efficient and cost only 1000 won for most buses (1000 won is slightly less than $1), but figuring out the destination of each bus can be a daunting task.  The route maps at the bus stops are vague and only in Korean and for some reason, I cannot load the online maps on my computer.  However, once I learn where the different routes go, the city buses will be my main transportation choice when walking just isn't an option.  Like walking, I found out rather quickly that riding the bus presents its own hazards as well.  It would be completely justified to make the assumption that the bus drivers' pay is determined based upon how quickly they finish their routes rather than hours worked.  The last person in line to board the bus may not even be completely on the vehicle before the driver accelerates like a bat out of hell.  Many drivers are not gentle on the brakes either and I'm surprised I have yet to see (or be a passenger on) a tipped bus because the driver took a turn too fast!  It also doesn't help that there are fewer seats on the buses than city buses back in the U.S. so many people have to stand and hold on for dear life as the driver tries to beat the next traffic light and then slams on the breaks because he wasn't expecting the vehicle in front to stop.  Despite all this, the buses tend to be crowded so they must not be that dangerous........

 Euna Apartment Bus Stop

 Euna Apartment Bus Stop

While I'm getting better at it, reading these bus maps

is not easy to do.

The third option for traveling around Changwon is via taxi.  This is not to say that taxis are a bad way to go, but unless the bus isn't an option or I need to be somewhere in a hurry, the bus will always be cheaper when traveling solo.  However, if I can successfully tell the non-English speaking driver where I want to go, taxis are quite affordable compared to those in Chicago.  The most I paid for a taxi in Changwon was 12,000 won for a 20-25 minute journey.  The last taxi I took in the U.S. was $18 for a 5 minute ride.  Finding a taxi is easy as well.  There are taxi stands all over Changwon with taxis waiting for passengers.  If I am not near a taxi stand, flagging one down from the street is also an option.  Odds are, an available taxi can be found in less than a minute or two.  In addition, the interiors of the taxis I have ridden were much nicer and cleaner than any taxi I've ridden in the U.S.

Taxi stands can be found in convenient

locations all around the city.

Another way people move about Changwon is by riding bicycles.  There are red bike paths along most city streets or sidewalks.  Changwon prides itself on being biker friendly.  The city has a bike rental program called Nubija, where people can borrow a bike whenever they want and return it when they are finished at any Nubija location.  I forget the exact cost, but its less than 20,000 won for a yearly membership.  I don't know if I will ever use these bicycles as I really haven't had the need but its nice to know they are there if I do.

 Nubija location in downtown Sangnam-dong

  Green is for pedestrians.  Red is for bicycles.

I can say without a doubt that I do not miss driving one bit!  Changwon's cheap, efficient transportation system means I should not have any problem getting to the places I want to go.  It's only a matter of whether or not I get there in one piece!