Seoul is working to improve access to the Hangang Bus and its docks by operating and establishing free shuttles and more public bike rental stations ahead of its official launch in September, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday.
A pilot program for the city’s new waterborne public transportation system began in July and has since identified several areas that need to be upgraded or improved. In particular, limited transport connections to the stops was found to be a major shortcoming.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government created new bus lines and adjusted some existing bus routes to connect them to areas near the water bus stopas in Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Oksu, Apgujeong, Ttukseom and Jamsil on Aug. 1.
However, it plans to improve access to the Hangang Bus further with free shuttle buses and additional stations for Seoul’s official bike rental service Ddareungi.
Though the exact date for the official launch of the shuttle buses has not yet been decided, morning and evening test runs will be made at the Magok and Jamsil docks. The shuttles will carry Hangang Bus passengers to nearby subway stations from Aug. 12.
According to the city government, shuttle buses will be operated at the Magok, Apgujeong and Jamsil docks, taking Hangang Bus passengers to the nearby subway stations: Yangcheong Hyanggyo Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 9, Apgujeong Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 3 and Jamsilsaenae Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 2, respectively.
Shuttle buses that depart from Magok Dock will also make stops at Balsan Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 5. while routes for the Jamsil shuttles will include Sports Complex Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 2.
The shuttle buses will be available on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Magok shuttle bus will run 12 times a day at 15-minute intervals, and the Jamsil shuttle will run 36 times a day with the same departure interval. The Apgujeong shuttle bus will run eight times a day, 30 minutes apart.
Additionally, the city government will install new Ddareungi bicycle rental stations within three minutes' walk of the Hangang Bus stops.
sj_lee@heraldcorp.com
