Han River Water Bus Starts Operation In Seoul, Use Environmentally Friendly Fleet

Hangang Bus. (Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government)

JAKARTA - After years of planning, the Han River water bus service began sailing on Thursday, offering new ways for Seoul residents and visitors, South Korea to explore the city and enjoy the view from the water.

At the launch at Wednesday's Yeouido Pier, Mayor Oh Se-hoon described Hangang Bus as "the new lifestyle Seoul has to offer, an option for residents to enjoy the free time, views, and views of city nights in their daily lives."

"The river and the view of the city seen from the boat will offer a place of relaxation, daily travel, and a new cultural experience. Along with this new choice added to everyone's daily life, a new brand will be born in Seoul," said Mayor Oh, launching The Korea Times September 18.

"Seeing every passenger enjoying the sight that has passed and releasing their fatigue on the way home, my own fatigue seems to have disappeared. Every Hangang Bus pier promises to become a new center for cultural places and trends of intersecting," he continued.

Inspired by the River Thames Bus while visiting London, the mayor announced plans for a similar system in Seoul in March 2023. The proposal was initially responded to by skeptics, with critics questioning its commercial accessibility and feasibility. Without fear, it continues to advance, and after two and a half years of development, the project is now ready.

"History has always belonged to those who dare to face challenges. Like Hangang Park which radically changed Seoul's daily life over the past decade, I'm sure Hangang Bus will change Seoul once again," he said.

The Hangang bus, the first public water transportation system in the capital, will connect seven piers along a 28.9-kilometer route that runs from Magok to Jamsil.

Eight environmentally friendly vessels, each of which can carry up to 199 passengers, will operate 14 trips daily between 11.00 and 21.37 local time.

After the Chuseok holiday, starting October 10, this service will be expanded to 30 trips on weekdays between 07.00 and 22.30 local time and includes an express route that operates every 15 minutes during peak hours. By the end of the year, the fleet will increase to 12 ships, offering 48 round-trip trips per day.

The journey from Magok to Jamsil currently takes 127 minutes, and the Yeouido route to Jamsil takes 80 minutes. City officials acknowledged the travel time was longer than originally expected, but said continued improvements were being planned.

The shallow depth of the Han River provides physical limits on the speed of the ship, said Park Jin-young, who leads the Hangang Bus project. He stressed that instead of prioritizing speed, travel time is deliberately set for the safety and comfort of passengers.

The tariff is set at 3,000 won (Rp35,733) per trip, with unlimited access to Climate Card holders, transit cards that allow unlimited travel on public transportation services in Seoul for a certain period of time. Transfer discounts are also available, making them more accessible to service users who often use services.

These ships are named after the iconic Seoul landmarks, such as the N Seoul Tower and Cheongdam Bridge, which feature a themed photo zone and display city views.

Facilities on board include a panoramic window, folding table, window, as well as facilities for bicycles and wheelchairs, all designed to ensure travel comfort.

During the trial operation, user satisfaction reached more than 81 percent, according to officials.

"During the three months of trials, many users responded positively to the view of the Han River from outside the cabin, and this feedback was reflected by allowing passengers to move outside the cabin," said a city official.