Seoul City held a launch ceremony on the 17th, a day before the official departure of the Hangang Bus.
At the ceremony held at the Yeouido pier in Seoul that day were Oh Se-hoon, the Seoul mayor, Choi Ho-jung, the Seoul Metropolitan Council chair, local district lawmakers, and district mayors.
The Hangang Bus makes a round trip along a 28.9-kilometer section serving seven piers: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Oksu, Ttukseom, and Jamsil.
From 11 a.m. on the 18th, during the initial phase of official operations, it will run 14 times a day. Based on arrival times, it will operate every 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes daily from 11 a.m. to 9:37 p.m.
Seoul City said it expects the service to function as a means of transportation for residents and as appealing infrastructure for tourists visiting Seoul.
To that end, Seoul City plans to increase the number of Hangang Bus runs after the Chuseok holiday. First, starting Oct. 10, it will add trips to 30 round trips on weekdays. On weekdays it will start at 7 a.m., and on weekends at 9:30 a.m., running until 10:30 p.m. During rush hour, it will also operate express routes at 15-minute intervals. After the end of October, it plans to expand to 48 round trips.
The Hangang Bus fare is 3,000 won one way for adults. Transfer discounts for public transit, such as the subway and buses, also apply. If you add 5,000 won to the Climate Companion Card, you can ride unlimited.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, "The Hangang Bus is a new lifestyle proposed by Seoul," adding, "It is a way to find leisure in a busy urban life and another way to meet the Hangang." He went on, "Not only on the river, but each pier will also become a plaza where culture and trends blend."