Starting Today, Subway 'Congestion Assistants' Begin Operations

Seoul Metro, Hiring 45 Employees

During the morning rush hour, the ‘Subway Congestion Safety Assistants’ who guide passenger movement and perform tasks such as preventing safety accidents at major subway stations in Seoul will begin their activities. Seoul Metro announced that it has recruited 45 people through the ‘Congestion Assistants’ hiring process conducted since February, and they will start working from the morning of the 20th.

The Congestion Assistants will be primarily assigned to a total of 13 stations where many passengers gather during the morning rush hour. Stations on Lines 2 and 4, which have a high average number of users, make up the majority.

The Congestion Assistants will carry safety vests and light batons and work in areas where passengers mainly gather, such as platforms, concourses, and transfer corridors at each station. Their main duties include guiding safe movement routes, preventing safety accidents on stairs and boarding facilities (escalators and elevators), and assisting station staff to respond quickly in emergencies. The Metro expects that the deployment of Congestion Assistants will enable safer subway use during commuting hours.

To ensure safe and smooth work performance, the hired personnel will complete a total of 8 hours of safety and health education from March 15 to 17, covering response procedures in case of accidents, before being assigned to the field.

In addition to the Congestion Assistants, the Metro is also recruiting 630 ‘Subway Vulnerable Time Safety Assistants’ who will be assigned to all stations during evening rush hours to patrol stations and ensure safety. Recruitment is planned until May, and announcements will be made prior to hiring.

Lee Tae-rim, Head of the Sales Planning Department at Seoul Metro, said, “We thank everyone who applied for the Congestion Assistants recruitment, and we ask passengers to follow the assistants’ guidance for a safe subway commute.” He added, “As an increase in passengers is expected due to the lifting of the public transportation mask mandate, we plan to recruit additional safety personnel, so we hope many will apply.”