Seoul Will Launch Water Bus Service In Han River Next Year

Illustration of a waterbus in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Wikimedia Commons/W.Bulach)

JAKARTA - The Seoul City Government, South Korea launched a blueprint for water bus services along the Han River late last month, inviting potential operators to bid.

The city government said it aims to launch a commercial water bus service with a route between the Gimpo Grand Bridge, west of the capital, and the Jamsil Grand Bridge southeast of Seoul in the second half of next year after determining the potential operator.

Operators will be required to provide at least six water buses within one year of the business agreement, as well as more than 10 water buses within two years, the city government said, as reported by the Korea Times July 25.

The city government added that each bus must be able to carry at least 150 passengers and 20 bicycles, and travel at speeds of up to 20 knots or more.

The Seoul government decided to start a water bus project, after Mayor Oh Se-hoon boarded the River Bus London ship on the River Thames during his visit to England in March.

River Bus London is a commuter ship service that connects key points on the riverbank, which is provided as part of passenger, tourist and commuter transportation services along the river.

The Seoul City Government said it plans to develop water bus services into a combination of city landmarks, tourist products and water transportation facilities that complement land public transportation.

Additionally, the Seoul City Government said it would seek solutions to possible constraints on this service, such as the lack of accessibility to the dock and economic feasibility.