Seoul to Add Line 9 Express Trains, Introduce 'Express' Buses... Faster Commutes Ahead

Improving Commutes... “Express Service Plan” Announced

Line 9 Express Service Expanded to Match Demand

Bridging Transit Gaps... “Trunk Express Buses” Introduced

Service to Begin November 16 After Preparations

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will increase the number of express trains on Subway Line 9 and introduce express buses in underserved areas such as Dobong and Gangseo to improve commuting conditions. The goal is to reduce travel times by adjusting service schedules to match the hours and sections where commuting demand is concentrated.

On October 14, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced its “Plan for Express Services on Seoul’s Public Transportation System,” which focuses on overhauling the Line 9 train schedule and piloting express buses on median bus lanes.

A view of a platform on Subway Line 9. The Asia Business Daily.

For the first time since Line 9 opened, the service ratio of express to regular trains will be adjusted to match demand at different times of day. The key measure is a major overhaul of the train schedule, including an earlier start to the intensive deployment of trains during rush hour.

Subway Line 9 passes through major business districts such as Yeouido and Gangnam, and sees heavy ridership during rush hour. Although the available trains are being deployed to the fullest extent possible, peak congestion during the morning commute reaches 182.3% on express trains heading toward VHS Medical Center between Noryangjin and Dongjak, and 192.5% on express trains heading toward Gaehwa between Dongjak and Noryangjin.

Accordingly, from 5:40 a.m. to 7 a.m., the service ratio of trains heading toward VHS Medical Center, from Gaehwa Station, will change from one express train for every regular train to two express trains for every regular train. Previously, express and regular trains alternated. Under the new schedule, two express trains will run consecutively, followed by one regular train. The change will increase capacity by adjusting how existing trains are operated, without introducing new vehicles, making efficient use of the limited fleet.

The intensive deployment of trains will also begin earlier to match peak passenger demand. During the morning commute, the start time will move 50 minutes earlier, from 6:30 a.m. to 5:40 a.m. In the evening, the service period will shift 30 minutes earlier, from 4:30-7 p.m. to 4-6:30 p.m.

With the changes, the number of Line 9 train services in the morning is expected to increase by eight, and intervals between express trains are also expected to shorten. At Dongjak Station, between 7 and 8:30 a.m., the interval between trains heading toward VHS Medical Center will fall from 6 minutes 20 seconds to 6 minutes. For trains heading toward Gaehwa, it will decrease from 8 minutes 40 seconds-13 minutes to 6 minutes 20 seconds-8 minutes.

During the morning commute, congestion on express trains heading toward Gaehwa is expected to fall by 20.4 percentage points, from 192.5% to 172.1%, while congestion on trains heading toward VHS Medical Center is projected to improve by 8.1 percentage points, from 182.3% to 174.2%. The changes are also expected to ease congestion during the evening commute, with peak congestion on trains heading toward Gaehwa falling by 20.2 percentage points, from 180.5% to 160.3%.

In the bus sector, the city will also pilot four “median-lane trunk express bus” routes that stop only at major bus stops to shorten morning commute times. Some vehicles on existing trunk bus routes will operate as express buses during the morning commute, enabling faster travel from the outskirts of Seoul to central and secondary business districts. Unlike regular buses, which stop at every bus stop along their routes, express buses will pick up passengers in outlying areas, skip intermediate stops, and stop at major destinations in the city center. The key aim is to reduce travel times for long-distance commuters by making fewer stops.

For example, Express No. 150, running from Dobong to City Hall, will pick up passengers at stops in outlying areas, including Dobongsan and Ssangmun stations, then skip intermediate stops such as Suyu, Mia, and Mia Sageori stations before stopping at major bus stops around Jongno and City Hall. The bus will retain its existing route but pass some stops without stopping, using passing lanes on median bus-only lanes.

Long-distance commuters can use express buses, while passengers traveling shorter distances or using intermediate stops can take regular buses. After the morning commute, buses that operated as express services will return to their regular routes.

The four pilot corridors were selected based on morning commute demand and the operating conditions of median bus-only lanes: Dobong-Mia-ro, Cheonho-daero, Susaek-Seongsan-ro, and Gonghang-daero. The routes are Express No. 150 (Dobong Garage to City Hall Station), Express No. 370 (Gangdong Garage to Chungjeongno Station), Express No. 470 (Sangam Garage to City Hall Station), and Express No. 605 (Gangseo Garage to Yeongdeungpo Station). The express bus service is expected to reduce the number of stops by 45.8% compared with regular routes and shorten travel times by about 10%.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to provide advance information on routes and stops so passengers can distinguish express buses from regular buses, and to address any inconveniences that arise during the pilot. It will analyze ridership demand and operational effectiveness before considering whether to expand the routes. The pilot service will begin on November 16.

Yeo Jang-gwon, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Transportation Office, said, “The key to this plan is to carefully analyze travel patterns and focus transportation services where they are needed during commuting hours. We will continue to innovate the operation of Seoul’s public transportation system by improving the efficiency of existing services, so that residents can experience reduced congestion and shorter travel times.”

Route of Seoul's No. 150 trunk express bus. Seoul Metropolitan Government.

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