Seoul City's new water transportation system, the "Hangang Bus," will begin its first official operation on September 18. The service will run between Magok and Jamsil along the Han River, with a fare of 3,000 won per ride.

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

The scale of operations will be expanded after the Chuseok holiday. Starting October 10, an express route will be added during commuting hours at 15-minute intervals, increasing the number of round trips to 30 per day. On weekdays, the service will operate from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and on weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Four additional vessels will be delivered by the end of next month, expanding the fleet to 12 vessels and 48 daily trips within the year.

The fare is 3,000 won per ride. If passengers use the Climate Companion Card, which costs an additional 5,000 won, they can ride the Hangang Bus an unlimited number of times and receive transfer discounts for public transportation. Onboard, a cafeteria will serve coffee, bagels, and other snacks, allowing passengers to enjoy refreshments during their commute or travel. Wi-Fi is also available. There are 20 bicycle racks, 4 wheelchair spaces, and 12 priority seats for passengers with mobility challenges, all separately designated.

Magok, Yeouido, Ttukseom, Jamsil, etc.
Seoul City operates 7 piers
8 vessels operate 14 times a day

Operation scale expansion after Chuseok
Express routes added during commuting hours
Increased to 30 round trips

Fare 3,000 won per ride
Unlimited use with Climate Companion Card

3 piers at Magok, Jamsil, Apgujeong
Free shuttle bus to nearby subway stations

Bus stops installed and new routes created
Strengthening connectivity with public transportation Yonhap News

Between June 5 and August 23, a total of 5,562 citizens participated in a trial run, with a satisfaction rate reaching 81%. During this process, some changes were made to the original regulations. Initially, passengers were not allowed to go outside the cabin during regular operations, but due to the positive response from citizens who enjoyed the Han River scenery 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, originally designed at 1 meter, has been increased to 1.3 meters to reduce the risk of falls and other hazards.

Additionally, to improve connectivity between existing public transportation and the piers, new bus stops have been installed and new bus routes created. At the Magok, Jamsil, and Apgujeong piers, a free shuttle bus connects to nearby subway stations. All piers are also equipped with Seoul Bike (Ddareungi) rental stations.

Each Hangang Bus vessel has been named after a cultural or tourist landmark in Seoul. For example, Line 1 is named Gyeongbokgung, Line 2 is Namsan Seoul Tower, Line 3 is Hanyangdoseong, and Line 4 is Cheonggyecheon. Photo zones featuring these landmarks as backdrops will also be set up to provide citizens with enjoyable experiences.

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

Park Jinyoung, head of the Seoul Future Hangang Headquarters, stated, "Even after the official launch, we will actively incorporate citizen feedback to continuously improve the service, and we aim to make the Han River not just a scenic view but a daily transportation route and a place of relaxation where Seoul citizens can enjoy leisure and healing."