Bus operators across the country threatened to halt operations in protest of a National Assembly bill that acknowledges taxis as a means of public transport, which would increase state subsidies and allow them to use bus lanes.

A federation of bus operators plans convene an emergency general meeting in Seoul Tuesday, gathering regional representatives from 17 major cities and provinces

The move came after the Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Committee at the National Assembly last Thursday unanimously passed a revised act for promoting public transport. The revised act includes a clause that acknowledges taxis as a means of public transportation.

The members of the ruling and opposition parties pushed to pass the bill to garner votes at the presidential election despite opposition from the government, traffic experts, and bus operators, federation officials said through a statement.

And it said it will stop operations indefinitely when the act is passed at a plenary session at the National Assembly held on Friday and Saturday.

The federation comprises 500 bus operators nationwide.

The federation warned of stopping bus operations on Wednesday morning when the act is passed at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly.

And it said it will stop operations indefinitely when the act is passed at a plenary session at the National Assembly held on Friday and Saturday.

(wone0102@heraldcorp.com)