Oh Se-hoon "Hangang Bus, Preparation Progressing Smoothly... Project Outcome Decided by Next Summer" [2024 National Audit]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that "despite various issues raised, the shipbuilding work is progressing smoothly" regarding the Hangang Bus, part of the 'Great Hangang Project.'

During the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's inspection of Seoul City Hall on the 15th, opposition party lawmakers focused their questions on the Hangang Bus. The Hangang Bus is an eco-friendly water public transportation service operating between seven piers: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Jamwon, Oksu, Ttukseom, and Jamsil. The city plans to introduce eight eco-friendly vessels first and start operations from March next year.

On the 15th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the National Assembly's audit of Seoul City Hall held by the Administrative Safety Committee at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, responding to questions from assembly members. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

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Democratic Party lawmaker Wi Seong-gon pointed out that the city separated the bidding for the Yeouido pier installation and operation project and the Hangang Bus shipbuilding project, suggesting it was to avoid investment review. In response, Mayor Oh said, "These two projects are completely different. The legal grounds are also different," and countered, "Should the airport construction project and airplane manufacturing project be considered under the same budget and undergo the same preliminary feasibility studies?"

Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Bu-nam criticized, "Mayor, you mentioned last February that the maximum speed of the Hangang Bus would be 20 knots and the travel time from Magok to Jamsil would be 54 minutes, but according to the company that designed the Hangang Bus, the appropriate speed is 14.4 to 15.5 knots," adding, "This means there will be at least a 30-minute delay compared to the initially announced figures." He also added that if it takes longer than the subway, it would fail to serve as a transportation means.

Mayor Oh responded, "The maximum output speed is set at 20 knots. If it can cover the distance from Jamsil to Yeouido in about 30 minutes, I believe it is competitive," and elaborated, "Moreover, the Hangang Bus is not a transportation means competing with the subway in terms of speed but another alternative for those who want to commute leisurely while enjoying the scenery without being rushed."

When questioned further about the qualifications of the shipbuilding company for the Hangang Bus, Mayor Oh emphasized, "After sufficient preparation, when this project starts in March next year, I am confident that by next summer at the earliest, we will be able to confidently explain how the River Bus (Hangang Bus) operates and what achievements it has made. I hope constructive discussions will take place next year."

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