Seoul, South Korea: The recipe for SL9's CSR (Corporate and Social Responsibility)

“Seoul Line 9 is a public transportation company. It means that we care about public and people. It is our role and responsibility to take part in our community’s life.” Christophe Beuille, Seoul Line 9 vice-president.

Seoul Line 9 is no exception among Transdev subsidiaries around the world. Here, we once again met passionate employees who work to provide their passengers with the best services and for whom the neighborhood communities matter.

Marianne Ryu, team leader Marketing & Communications, is also in charge of Seoul Line 9’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities. And this is no mean feat!

As soon as Seoul Line 9 started its operations, it started looking for ways to help out local communities. Today, it dedicates an annual budget of 10 million Won to CSR (more than 8000€) . On top of that, the company subsidize inhouse voluntary club and at the same time, voluntary club members support its operating costs for more CSR activities on its own. And occasionally, money is awarded by the RATP Foundation.

From a human perspective, the voluntary club called “SL9, True companion on your road” gathers a hundred employees, among which a dozen are regular volunteers taking part in CSR missions every month.

Three For The Ride had the opportunity to participate in two CSR activities within a week’s time. Follow us!

Music therapy with Dasarang

First, we joined DASARANG’s music therapy class. This project was initiated by RATP foundation and is a great success.

Dasarang is an NGO that provides daily care and activities to mentally disabled people in one of Seoul’s underprivileged neighborhoods. Every two weeks, the members take part in a traditional percussion class that helps them release their stress.

Dasarang also organizes workshops to create art and craft products which are sold to fund the NGO’s expenses.

We were happy to learn Korean drums in such an enthusiastic atmosphere. Dasarang’s members and counselors gave us an incredibly warm and genuine welcome. We wish Dasarang all the best!

"Bake for Happiness" with the Red Cross

Our second mission took place on Saturday afternoon. The Korean Red Cross received more than twenty employees and family members to bake cookies and bread for North Korean political refugees. What a surprise to discover that we could cook approximately 60 loaves of bread in less than two hours!

Here is the “Bake for Happiness” recipe:

1. An extremely motivated crew!

Seoul Line 9 employees come with reinforcements: Children, girlfriends, relatives are more than welcome to help out.

Peter Lunden-Welden, CEO at Seoul Line 9, values closeness and does not hesitate to come and lend a hand in the preparation of the cakes. He is featured on the picture below with his (tall) son.

2. Mix the ingredients and pour into a baking pan

3. Bake and leave on a rack to cool for fifteen minutes

4. Share the first hot loaf that comes out of the oven…

5. …before packing the rest and labeling them

Here, Mr Kang, who hosted us with his family during our two weeks stay in Seoul is intently focused on the packaging method.

6. Most importantly, don’t forget to smile!

Later, the bread is distributed in a neighbor community. We accompanied the Korean Red Cross to a social building where they support political refugees to embrace their new life. We were happy to share the bread, baked with happiness!

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