Hangang Bus to Begin Full Operation on the 18th... Express Service to Launch After Chuseok

Launch Ceremony on the 17th, Attended by Mayor Oh Sehoon
Initial Operations: 8 Vessels, 1-Hour Intervals
Expanded Service After Chuseok, Including Express Commuter Routes

The new water transportation system in Seoul, the "Hangang Bus," will begin its inaugural operations on September 18. The route will run between Magok and Jamsil along the Han River, with a single ride fare set at 3,000 won.

According to the city on September 15, the Hangang Bus will operate between seven piers-Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Oksu, Apgujeong, Ttukseom, and Jamsil-starting at 11 a.m. on September 18. As this is the first water-based public transportation system introduced in Korea, the city has comprehensively considered safety and service quality. Initially, a total of eight vessels will operate 14 times per day. The first departures from both ends of the route, Magok and Jamsil, are at 11 a.m., and the last service arrives at its destination at 9:37 p.m. The interval between departures is the same on both weekdays and weekends, ranging from one hour to one hour and thirty minutes.

Yonhap News

The scale of operations will expand after the Chuseok holiday. Starting October 10, an express route running every 15 minutes during commuting hours will be added, increasing the number of round trips to 30 per day. On weekdays, the service will run from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and on weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. An additional four vessels will be delivered by the end of next month, bringing the total to 12 vessels and 48 daily trips by the end of the year.

The fare is 3,000 won per ride. Passengers using the Climate Companion Card, which costs an additional 5,000 won, can ride without limits and also receive public transportation transfer discounts. Onboard, a cafeteria will serve coffee, bagels, and other snacks, allowing passengers to enjoy refreshments during their commute or travels. Wi-Fi will also be available. Each vessel will have 20 bicycle racks, 4 wheelchair spaces, and 12 priority seats for passengers with special needs.

During the trial operations from June 5 to August 23, a total of 5,562 citizens participated, and the satisfaction rate reached 81%. Some regulations have been revised based on this experience. Initially, passengers were not to be allowed outside the cabin during regular service, but due to positive feedback about the Han River views from outside the cabin during the trial, this policy will be maintained for official operations. To enhance safety for outdoor passengers, the height of the Hangang Bus railings has been increased from the original 1 meter to 1.3 meters to reduce the risk of falls and other hazards.

To improve connectivity with existing public transportation, new bus stops have been installed and new bus routes have been established. At the Magok, Jamsil, and Apgujeong piers, free shuttle buses will operate to nearby subway stations. All piers are also equipped with Ttareungi bicycle rental stations.

Each Hangang Bus vessel has been named after a landmark representing Seoul's culture and tourism. For example, the first vessel is named Gyeongbokgung, the second Namsan Seoul Tower, the third Hanyangdoseong, and the fourth Cheonggyecheon. Photo zones featuring these landmarks as backdrops will be set up on board to provide entertainment for passengers.

The launch ceremony, themed "A Gift for Citizens," will be held at Yeouido Pier at 10:30 a.m. on September 17. Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, who conceived the Hangang Bus during a business trip to the United Kingdom in 2023, and Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairman Choi Hojung, among others, will attend the event.

Park Jinyoung, head of the Future Hangang Headquarters at Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "Even after the official launch, we will continue to actively incorporate citizen feedback to improve our services. Our goal is to make the Han River not just something to look at, but an everyday transportation route and a relaxing space where Seoul citizens can enjoy leisure and healing."

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