Dear editor,
I read a Sept. 27 article in The Korea Times, “Wonderful subway and annoyances,” parts of which I cannot agree on.
In his column, Robert J. Fouser mentions that in cosmopolitan cities like London, people form two neat rows on escalators in subway stations, one for walkers and one for standers. He claims that this simply does not happen in Seoul.
I ride the same subway that Fouser uses but I have never noticed this to be a problem. The right row is for standers and left for walkers. Where I ride, this is very well practiced.
Also, I should point out that there are signs near escalators that warn there should be no walking or running on escalators. Despite that, I tend to believe we have a good system of walkers and standers.
There are flaws with using the subway and the fact that it is dirt cheap ― 900 won as a base charge ― is not an excuse for shortfalls. Even then, I constantly see improvements being made and I am encouraged.
Most of the ticketing windows have been closed due to budget constraints, I imagine, but it is not so terribly inconvenient.
As Fouser correctly points out, nothing is perfect. But I will take anything that the Seoul subway dishes out any time of the day.
By the way, the loading and unloading of passengers from train cars is a problem. Commuters rush to get in before others get out for fear they will not get on, and maybe late for work.
I really don’t think this happens in Seoul during rush hours ― I have been and lived in numerous countries ― and my suggestion is this: as subway stations suggest walking on the ride side, get passengers boarding on the right while others get off on the left. How is that for a smart idea?
Jake J. Nho
Seoul