Korean Job Discussion Forums

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I didn't see this, but my co-worker was talking about how she saw a bus that we sometimes take away from somewhere. She figured when she glass near the Lotte Department Store and a damaged column that somehow the bus managed to through a metal fence, then a lane and then up on the sidewalk to hit the Department Store. I keep on seeing bus drivers here cutting each other off. They have no sense of safety, order, or concept of driving at a safe speed or observing traffic lights properly. Some of the bus drivers are good, but too many are so bad.

I was making some jokes about the bus hitting the store with another co-worker "Attenion shoppers please do not head towards the exit as it could be injurious to your health".

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I was on a bus the other day that almost hit a car. I'm not sure what happened but it looked like the car cut us off, and the bus swerved crazily and came to a stop in the middle of an intersection. I thought the bus driver did a good job avoiding a serious accident.

Young FRANKenstein

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

I saw a bus rear end another car the other day. Thank God that no one was hurt.

These wild bus drivers are taking not only their own lives in their hands, but everyone that's on the bus and everyone near them.

Seems rather silly of most of these bus drivers considering most drive like maniacs simply to make their break schedule.

aldershot · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

i can't sit at the front of an intercity bus any longer. being forced to look out the front window and constantly observe how the bus is being driven nearly gives me a heart attack. the speeds those nutters drive at on the highways careening and swerving. i just can't watch it any longer. last weekend on my way to daegu i think we skipped hyperspace and went straight to plaid.

LiquidSunshine · Joined: 31 Mar 2003

half a year ago, at that same spot in ilsan i saw the after-affects of the 100 (i think it was the 100) trying to make a left turn a little too fast. it was on its side in the middle of the intersection.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

I think the drivers should get to watch tv and dvds on the dashboard, then put on pornography when a foreigner gets on the bus.

poet13 · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject:

On a bus to Gumi last fall, our driver did an incredible job of keeping us upright and alive. I was sitting in the death seat (front row-right). Some clown in a beat up mini car pulled out maybe 20 or so meteres in front of us. We were at highway speed, about 85 clicks. Yes, I was watching. The driver snapped the bus left, the rear drifted right, he snapped it right, the rear drifted left. I was looking out his side window....in the direction we were going. We headed over to the shoulder, rode up it a bit and back down. I don't think any of our wheels left the ground, but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two did. The driver was shifting, braking and steering at the same time. He was remarkable. The driver of the car didn't even slow down. The bus driver immediately got on his cell phone and had something very angry to say to someone including a plate number. I'm guessing he called the police or his dispatch. At the station, he formally apologized to us 8 or ten passengers.

I will put my life in a professional drivers hand any day over Mrs Kim on her way to the grocery store, or Mr Song on his way home from tennis and soju.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I have observed that a minority of the bus drivers in Ilsan, at least, drive carefully and at a reasonable speed not as if they are in a hurry to die and take the passengers with them. There is no reason for a bus to hit Lotte Department Store. Yes, there are also way too many crazy Korean drivers who cut off buses. I don't think I've really seen many people back home try to cut off buses unless they had a death wish. I think some people in Korea believe that the other person should know that he is supposed to be first, and he doesn't care if the person is driving a bus or not, because he is Mr. Kim. Too many people seem way too oblivious to other people. My co-worker was walking in this girl was walking and talking on the phone and he wasn't moving out of her way if she kept moving and not paying attention she could have bumped into a large Western fellow and her small self would have felt weird. Pay attention, people!!!!

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject:

shifdog · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

In addition to being bad drivers, many of the bus drivers seem to hate their jobs. They have permanent scowls and can be unhelpful to passengers asking questions. One bus driver wouldn't let me get on when the bus was stopped at a red light. I was only about 30 yards from the bus stop.

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

shifdog · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Sine qua non · Joined: 18 Feb 2007

rawiri · Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Location: Lovely day for a fire drill.

I get the bus every day (shame shame) and i'd say that whatever they pay them isn't enough. I'd go crazy negotiating a bus through traffic here, they rarely seem to get flustered. 90% of the time i'm greeted with an annyeong hasayeo and a slight bow. One of the cool things is whenevr they pass a bus of the same company both drivers salute each other.