Seoul’s waterways are opening a new route for commuters and leisure travelers as the city prepares to launch the “Han River Bus” service. The first official voyage is scheduled for 11 a.m. on September 18, following 66 trial runs with 5,562 citizen participants between June 5 and August 23. The inaugural ceremony, themed “A Gift to Citizens,” will be held at Yeouido Pier on September 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Key participants at the ceremony will include Oh Sehoon, the Mayor of Seoul, Choi Ho-jung, the Chairman of Seoul Metropolitan Council, and local lawmakers. Mayor Oh is expected to address public concerns regarding allegations of preferential treatment and safety issues associated with the Han River Bus project. Seoul’s city government has signaled a firm stance, planning to proceed with operations as scheduled in the face of ongoing scrutiny.

The Han River Bus will operate a fleet of eight vessels along a 28.9-kilometer route that connects seven piers: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Oksu, Apgujeong, Ttukseom, and Jamsil. During its initial phase from September 18 to October 9, the service will offer 14 round trips daily, running from 11 a.m. to 9:37 p.m. at intervals of 60 to 90 minutes, with shorter intervals of one hour during peak evening hours.

The fare is set at 3,000 KRW per ride, with compatibility for “Climate Companion Cards” and transfer discounts available for seamless integration with existing public transportation. Cash payments are not accepted. Real-time schedules, seat availability, and updates on weather-related disruptions can be checked via Naver Map and Kakao Map.

Travel times on the main route vary, with journeys from Magok to Jamsil expected to take 127 minutes, and from Yeouido to Jamsil around 80 minutes. This is longer than early estimates, which projected a 75-minute trip between Magok and Jamsil. The typical operating speed is 22–23 km/h. Park Jin-young, Head of the Future Han River Division at Seoul City, explained, “Due to the Han River’s relatively shallow depth compared to the sea, there are natural speed limitations. We determined 127 minutes as the reasonable duration rather than prioritizing speed alone.”

By comparison, subway travel between Magok Station and Jamsil Station, via a series of transfers on Line 5, Line 2, Line 9, or Airport Railroad, typically takes about 70 minutes. Though the Han River Bus requires a longer journey, city officials highlight the opportunity for passengers to leisurely enjoy panoramic river views and a unique commuting experience.

Ridership capacity and service frequency will be reinforced in stages. From October 10, weekday services will run from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends. Express services (Magok–Jamsil in 82 minutes) operating at 15-minute intervals during rush hour will be added, increasing daily round trips to 30. By year’s end, the city aims to add four more vessels, for a total fleet of 12, supporting up to 48 daily trips.

Accessibility has also been enhanced. A new bus line has been introduced near Magok Pier, with two additional lines established or adjusted at each Mangwon, Apgujeong, and Jamsil piers. Bicycle-sharing stations (“Ddareungi”) have been installed at all piers, and free shuttle bus services will connect Magok, Jamsil, and Apgujeong piers with their nearest subway stations (operating 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m., with shuttle intervals of 15 minutes for Magok and Jamsil, and 30 minutes for Apgujeong). After October 10, shuttle services will be chiefly tailored to commuting hours.

Onboard amenities include a cafeteria and Wi-Fi as standard, with designated areas for 20 bicycles, four wheelchair spaces, and 12 seats reserved for passengers requiring assistance. Passengers can enjoy river views on the outer deck, and simplified QR code-based boarding declarations contribute to passenger safety.

The safety and operational protocols have been further reinforced: the height of safety rails has been raised from 1 meter to 1.3 meters, and operator Han River Bus Co., Ltd. has been integrated into the Disaster Safety Network of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, enabling immediate coordination with fire and police agencies. Joint emergency response drills for disasters and terrorist threats were conducted during trial runs, and new operational rules include bans on smoking and uncontrolled eating onboard, and mandatory use of carriers for pets.

The fleet features eight hybrid and four electric ships as part of Seoul’s eco-friendly initiatives. Hybrid vessels emit roughly 52% less CO2 than diesel alternatives, and the electric vessels produce zero emissions during operation. Each ship is named after Seoul landmarks symbolizing the city’s culture and history, such as “Gyeongbokgung,” “Namsan Seoul Tower,” “DDP,” and “Sebitseom.”

Seoul authorities have pledged continuous service improvement following the launch, with Park Jin-young stating, “Once we stably operate 12 Han River buses, we will be able to accommodate demand during commuting hours. The Han River bus is not intended as an alternative but as a complement to subways and buses, offering yet another commuting option.”

He added, “We will continue to incorporate citizen feedback after the official launch, striving to improve the service and establish the Han River as a part of daily life where people can easily enjoy both transportation and relaxation.”

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Seoul Metropolitan Government, Yonhap News Agency, Han River Bus