Seoul Metro Expands Personal Storage Service to 12 Stations

'Ttota Storage' Service to Start Additional Operation on 28th at 9 Stations Including Sangbong and Sinpung on Line 7
100% Usage Rate Achieved After Pilot Operation at 3 Locations Including Dapsimni Station in November Last Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Metro announced on the 24th that it will expand the subway station personal storage long-term rental service ‘T-Storage,’ first introduced at three stations including Dapsimni Station on Line 5, to 12 stations starting from the 28th.

‘T-Storage’ is a type of ‘personal storage (self-storage)’ service where users can store and retrieve items themselves without any time limit, ranging from items not immediately needed such as camping gear and seasonal clothing to small appliances and furniture. Recently, due to factors such as the increase in single-person households and rising urban land prices, demand for storage space has gradually increased, leading to continuous growth in the personal storage service industry.

The newly added ‘T-Storage’ locations total 10 spots across 9 stations. These include Sinjeong Station on Line 5; World Cup Stadium Station, Gwangheungchang Station, and Changsin Station on Line 6; and Junggye Station, Taereungipgu Station (2 spots), Sangbong Station, Banpo Station, and Sinpung Station on Line 7. Like the existing three locations, priority was given to areas with a high proportion of single-person households, making it more convenient by being located in various parts of Seoul.

The corporation utilized vacant commercial spaces within stations that had been empty for a long time to create personal storage under the name ‘T-Storage,’ aiming to enhance citizen convenience and generate additional revenue. The usage rate of the three pilot locations (a total of 50 units) has gradually increased since operations began in November last year, currently maintaining 100%, receiving positive feedback.

‘T-Storage’ operates with excellent accessibility inside subway stations, reasonable pricing, and a 100% contactless unmanned system. Users can complete everything from registration to payment and access through the dedicated subway locker app ‘T-Locker.’

The storage units are equipped with temperature and humidity control facilities to keep belongings in optimal condition, and CCTV cameras recording in real-time are installed inside for safety. Additionally, business liability insurance is subscribed to cover up to 1 million KRW in case of any issues with stored items.

Along with this expansion, convenience has been improved by adding a subscription service that automatically extends the storage period upon expiration. This reduces the hassle for long-term users who previously had to pay monthly fees manually. To promote usage, an event is being held where users who pay with a 30-day subscription service will receive an additional 7 days of usage for the first month.

Kim Sang-beom, President of Seoul Metro, said, “To resolve deficits, we are striving to discover and promote new non-transportation businesses like ‘T-Storage’ that bring public benefits such as citizen convenience, regional economic revitalization, and job creation,” adding, “We will continue to expand lifestyle convenience services centered around subway stations.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.