Han River Bus Survives Crisis... Routes Expanded Amid Soaring Demand

Stops at Seoul Forest Dock Starting June 8

Meeting Demand from Seongsu-dong Visitors and Gangnam-bound Passengers

Safety Concerns Resolved... Debris Cleared

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is set to expand operations of the Han River Bus. The service, which had faced the threat of suspension, has continued following the return of Mayor Oh Sehoon, and related service improvements are also being prepared. The daily number of Han River Bus passengers has increased to approximately 3,000.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on June 5, starting from June 8, the Han River Bus will stop at the Seoul Forest dock 16 times a day. This move is intended to improve transportation convenience for visitors to the Seoul International Garden Expo held around Seoul Forest, the Han River, and Seongsu-dong.

Hangang Bus operating along the Han River in Yeouido, Seoul. The Asia Business Daily

Although the additional service is temporary and will run only until the end of October, public interest remains high. This is due to the sharp rise in visitors to Seongsu-dong, as well as easier access to the Gangnam-side riverfront areas such as Apgujeong. The Han River Bus route covers the Jamsil-Ttukseom-Seoul Forest-Oksoo/Apgujeong-Yeouido section. In consideration of operational efficiency and safety, the city has decided that the Oksoo and Apgujeong docks will be used alternately for each trip.

In response to demand for Han River sunset cruises, the operating hours have also been adjusted, with both the start and end times pushed back by one hour. The East Line will run from 11:00 a.m. to 9:28 p.m. (arrival time), while the West Line will operate from 11:20 a.m. to 8:32 p.m. (arrival time).

The previously raised safety concerns regarding the route have also been addressed. Before starting operations at the Seoul Forest dock, the city completed detailed depth surveys and removal of underwater debris along the entire Han River Bus route and around the dock. The width of the waterway has been expanded from 60 meters to 100 meters, and around the dock from 72 meters to 300 meters. The water depth has been secured at 2.5 meters, the same as the existing Han River Bus route.

Considering rising demand, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is also reviewing further adjustments to the route and upgrades to dock services. In May alone, Han River Bus ridership surpassed 90,000. Since the resumption of operations in March, when 62,491 people boarded, the number has increased by 30,000 in just three months. During this period, the average daily ridership jumped from 2,000 to 2,900.

The cumulative number of passengers has exceeded 330,000. From the official launch in September last year through February this year, 104,498 people used the service. From March to May, when full-route operations resumed, 230,105 passengers boarded, driving the overall increase in users. Park Jinyoung, Director of the Future Han River Headquarters at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "The Han River Bus is rapidly establishing itself as a new mode of water transportation with strong interest and positive response from citizens," adding, "We will continue to enhance service quality, including safe and convenient service offerings and expansion of routes."

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