From the 14th, Seoul Subway Service Reduction Returns to Normal... Normal Operation After 10 AM

Government Eases Social Distancing? Increase in Users After Extended Business Hours... Recovery to Pre-Reduced Service Levels
Social Distancing and Early Leave Participation Increase Rush Hour Congestion... Proactive Demand Response Initiated

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 11th that, in response to the government's easing of social distancing measures and the extension of operating hours for multi-use facilities until 11 PM, it will fully lift the 20% reduction in late-night public transportation services after 10 PM and resume normal operations.

According to Seoul City, subway lines 2, 5 through 9, and the Uisinseol Line will implement this change starting from the 14th after adjusting train operation plans. The subway line 3, which operates in coordination with Korail, will normalize from April 1, and line 4 will do so from March 19, sequentially. Previously, Seoul City had reduced public transportation operations by up to 20% after 10 PM on weekdays since December to prepare for a surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases due to year-end and New Year gatherings and to align with the government's social distancing measures.

On the 1st day of the implementation of Step 1 of the phased daily recovery, citizens are commuting to work wearing masks at Sindorim Station in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Although the congestion level of Seoul's public transportation has continued to decrease since the reduction was implemented, congestion during peak hours from 6 PM to 8 PM has increased compared to before the reduction, as citizens have been leaving work early and participating in social distancing. City and village buses have lifted the late-night service reductions and are operating normally since the 7th.

Seoul City will continue to conduct ongoing monitoring and flexibly manage onboard congestion by adding extra services during congested times. It will also maintain quarantine measures to ensure citizens can use public transportation safely. In case of congestion, additional trains will be operated on the always-congested subway lines 2 and 7, and buses will maintain minimum intervals during peak commuting hours to manage congestion.

Baek Ho, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, stated, “We will create a safe public transportation environment by continuously monitoring congestion levels and thoroughly managing quarantine measures.” He added, “We also ask citizens to actively comply with quarantine guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within public transportation.”

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