Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Hangang Bus to transform daily lives of Seoul residents, mayor says
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks during a launch ceremony for the Hangang Bus service at Yeouido Pier in Seoul, Wednesday. Newsis
By Jung Min-ho
Ferry service set to launch Thursday, aiming to ease traffic, enrich urban life
After years of planning, the Han River’s water bus service sets sail Thursday, offering Seoul residents and visitors a new way to navigate the city and see it from the water.
At Wednesday’s launch ceremony held at Yeouido Pier, Mayor Oh Se-hoon described the Hangang Bus as “a new lifestyle Seoul is proposing ― a choice for residents to enjoy leisure, scenery and the city’s night views in everyday moments.”
“The river and cityscape viewed from the boat will offer a place of relaxation, a daily journey and a new cultural experience. As this new option is added to everyone’s daily life, a new brand will be born in Seoul,” Oh said. “Watching each passenger enjoy the passing scenery and shed the day’s fatigue on their commute home, my own weariness seems to melt away. Each Hangang Bus dock promises to become a new hub where culture and trends intersect.”
A Hangang Bus passenger boat is seen in this photo released Wednesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
The Hangang Bus, the capital’s first public waterborne transit system, will connect seven piers along a 28.9-kilometer route spanning from Magok to Jamsil. Eight eco-friendly vessels, each of which can carry up to 199 passengers, will operate 14 trips daily between 11 a.m. and 9:37 p.m. After the Chuseok holiday, starting Oct. 10, the service will expand to 30 trips on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. and include express routes running every 15 minutes during rush hour. By year’s end, the fleet will grow to 12 vessels, offering 48 round trips per day.
The journey from Magok to Jamsil currently takes 127 minutes, and the Yeouido to Jamsil route takes 80 minutes. City officials acknowledge travel times are longer than originally expected but say continuous upgrades are planned.
The shallow depth of the Han River imposes physical limits on the speed of the boats, said Park Jin-young, who led the Hangang Bus project. He emphasized that instead of prioritizing speed, the travel time was deliberately set for the safety and comfort of passengers.
Fares are set at 3,000 won ($2.20) per ride, with unlimited access for holders of the Climate Card, a transit pass that allows unlimited rides on public transportation services in Seoul for a fixed period. Transfer discounts are also available, making it more accessible for frequent service users.
The boats are named after iconic Seoul landmarks, such as N Seoul Tower and Cheongdam Bridge, featuring themed photo zones and showcasing city views.
A view from a Hangang Bus passenger boat during a trial run for its launch ceremony in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
Onboard amenities include panoramic windows, foldable tables, a cafeteria and facilities for bicycles and wheelchairs, all designed to ensure a comfortable ride.
Throughout trial operations, user satisfaction reached over 81 percent, according to officials.
“During three months of trial operations, 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,” a city official said.
Inspired by the Thames River Bus during a trip to London, the mayor announced plans for a similar system in Seoul in March 2023. The proposal was initially met with skepticism, with critics questioning its accessibility and commercial viability. Undeterred, he pressed ahead, and after two and a half years of development, the project is now ready.
“History has always belonged to those who dare to take on challenges. Just as the Hangang Park radically transformed Seoul’s everyday life over the past decade, I believe the Hangang Bus will change Seoul once again,” he said.