Seoul to Move Up First and Last Subway Trains by 30 Minutes

First Subway Trains to Start 30 Minutes Earlier
City to Expand Early Morning Public Transportation Services

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will move up the first subway trains on Lines 1 through 8 by 30 minutes to improve transportation convenience for citizens commuting early in the morning. Taking into account the time required for maintenance, the last train will also depart 30 minutes earlier.

On May 21, the city announced that, as early as August, the first subway trains will begin operating at 5:00 a.m., 30 minutes earlier than the current schedule. Until now, commuters in the early morning hours had no choice but to use buses, but the earlier first train is expected to facilitate smoother transfers between buses and the subway.

Citizens are using the subway at Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Because time is needed for subway maintenance and repair, the last train will also depart 30 minutes earlier, in line with the change to the first train schedule.

The city plans to actively coordinate with Korea Railroad Corporation and Airport Railroad, among others, to advance the first train times on other metropolitan subway lines as well, since the adjustment currently applies only to subway lines operating within the Seoul section.

In addition, the city will continue to deploy and expand autonomous buses during late-night and early-morning hours, aiming to provide uninterrupted 24-hour public transportation service. Seoul's "Saebyeokdonghaeng Autonomous Bus" (Dobongsan to Yeongdeungpo) recorded a cumulative total of 10,000 passengers within six months of operation. The city plans to increase the number of autonomous bus routes operating in the early morning to a total of 10, including three new routes in the second half of this year.

Yeo Jangkwon, Director of Transportation at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "This adjustment to subway operating hours is not simply about moving up the first train, but is meaningful in that it demonstrates our empathy and support for citizens who need to use public transportation early in the morning."

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