Two “Hangang (Han River) Buses,” an eco-friendly mass transportation system being inaugurated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), made its debut at the Han River near Yeouido, Seoul, on Feb. 27.
An additional 10 Han River buses will be put in operation for the first half of this year, with regular operation slated for June, SMG said.
The two Han River buses, which departed Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do, on Feb. 24, arrived at the river on Feb. 27 after passing through the South and the West Sea.
The buses passed a final testing by the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA) after undergoing a mooring trial operation, setting to work (STW) checks and maritime trial operation following their launch last November.
Park Jin-young, head of the Future Han River Headquarters at SMG, said, “We aim to make Han River Buses a new transportation choice for commuting citizen, and SMG makes preparations for citizens to try on the buses before embarking on a regular operation in June.”
The Han River buses will add an additional option for commuters, in addition to subways or regular buses, and they will ease commuting congestion on Subway Lines 9 and 2.
The Han River buses will be a new option for citizens wanting to opt for a more pleasant transportation environment, Park said.
SMG plans to establish the Han River Buses as a new mass transportation means.
To this end, a combined fleet of 12 buses will be introduced on a gradual basis in the first half of the year, and the buses are to be operated at an interval of 15 minutes.
Out of the total, two buses will be reserved for cases of breakdown or accidents to minimize operational vacancy.
The operational frequency of the Han River Buses are 68 occasions from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. each weekday and 48 occasions from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. on each weekend.
Express Han River buses will be operated during rush hour. The buses will take 54 minutes or less to operate the express course connecting Magok, Yeouido and Jamsil.
The general course will link Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Oksu, Ttukseom and Jamsil and its traveling time is 75 minutes.
The inauguration of Han River Buses may be readjusted according to an unfixed ship inspection schedule.
SMG plans to make changes to the finalized traveling time by analyzing the actual conditions of the river and operational data following an initial operation.
Information on the arrivals of Han River buses will be provided via Naver and Kakao maps starting from April to help citizens use the Han River bus.
The Han River Buses, made with lighter aluminum than the conventional ones, reduce fuel consumption and employ a hybrid propulsion system.
They could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 52 percent compared to the conventional diesel engine ship.
They employ a barrier-free design, designed to facilitate the movement of the disabled and the weak, and in-ship seats for exclusive use of the disabled.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon introduces the integrated brand “GO SEOUL” for symbolizing Seoul’s mass transportation means at Seoul City Hall on Feb. 24.
SMG Launches Seoul’s Integrated Mass Transportation Means Brand ‘GO SEOUL’
The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled the integrated brand “GO SEOUL” for symbolizing Seoul’s mass transportation means, such as buses and subways, SMG is the nation’s first entity to introduce such a brand for symbolizing mass transportation means among local governments across the nation.
The introduction of the integrated brand is designed to help Seoulites and foreign tourists utilize mass transportation means in a more convenient fashion.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said in a meeting with reporters, “Upon looking at the brand, not only Seoulites and foreigners visiting the capital could conjure up as spots related to mass transportation means.”
The integrated brand is applied to four transportation means – buses, subways, Han River Buses and SMG’s public bicycle “Ttareungi.” All transportation modes can be covered by climate cards.
