Seoul’s first water bus to officially launch on Sept 18

Seoul’s new eco-friendly waterborne public transportation system, the Hangang Bus, will officially begin regular operations from Sept 18, following three months of trial runs, the city government said on Sept 15.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Hangang Bus will run along a 28.9km route connecting seven piers from Magok in western Seoul to Jamsil in southern Seoul, with stops at Mangwon and Yeouido in western Seoul, Oksu and Ttukseom in eastern Seoul and Apgujeong in southern Seoul.

The one-way trip from Magok to Jamsil will take 127 minutes.

From Sept 18 to Oct 9, the service will run 14 times daily at intervals of about one to one-and-a-half hours.

Starting on Oct 10, weekday operations will begin at 7am and weekend service at 9.30am, running until 10.30 pm with two boats to be added.

Express routes between Magok and Jamsil will run every 15 minutes during rush hour – 7am to 9am and 6pm to 8 pm – with a travel time of 82 minutes.

By late December, the Hangang Bus will operate 48 times a day at shorter intervals of 30 minutes to one hour.

Commuters must pay for their trip with their public transportation card, not cash, with the fare expected to cost 3,000 won (S$2.80) per ride.

Transfers to other modes of transportation will also be discounted.

Commuters may also use the Climate Card – a 65,000 won-rechargeable monthly transit pass – to ride the waterborne transit system along with other public transportation methods operated in the city.

On board, passengers will find a cafeteria as well as 20 bike racks, four wheelchair spaces and 12 priority seats for pregnant women and the elderly.

Free Wi-Fi service as well as power bank rentals will also be available.

During a press briefing on Sept 15, Mr Park Jin-young, head of the city government’s Future Han River Headquarters, stated that Hangang Bus’ accessibility with other public transportation methods has been improved.

Its limited connectivity was a frequent complaint raised by commuters who boarded the Hangang Bus during its three-month trial period.

“To improve accessibility, the city government has created new or adjusted existing bus routes around (the Hangang Bus’) piers,” said Mr Park.

“Free shuttle buses linking passengers getting off the Hangang Bus at Magok, Apgujeong and Jamsil will also be provided to help them reach nearby subway stations.”

Mr Park added that bike docks for Ttareungi, or Seoul’s bike-sharing system, have been installed at every stop.

Real-time service updates, including schedules, seat availability and weather-related cancellations, will also be provided through major mobility applications such as Naver Map and Kakao Map.

Ahead of the Hangang Bus’ official launch, the city government will hold an inauguration ceremony on Sept 17 at the Yeouido pier in western Seoul.

“Once (the Hangang Bus) begins smooth operations, we expect it to ease commuting pressure on Seoul’s citizens,” Mr Park continued.

“Even after regular operations begin, the city will continue to actively reflect feedback from its citizens to further improve (the Hangang Bus’) services.” THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK