Mapo-gu, the Only Autonomous District in Seoul, Prepares to Launch Mapo Circular Train Bus

Mapo-gu Facilities Management Corporation Obtains Limited License on December 4... First Step in Operating Mapo Circular Train Bus
Locomotive-Inspired Unique Design Roams Mapo-gu's Local Attractions
Park Gang-su, Mapo-gu Mayor, "Connecting Mapo's Attractions and Activities to Revitalize Local Economy and Culture"

In 2024, Mapo-gu (District Mayor Park Gang-su) plans to introduce the 'Mapo Circulation Train Bus,' a unique circular city tour bus in Seoul's autonomous districts.

The 'Mapo Circulation Train Bus' is a tourism product that allows passengers to travel on a route connecting various sightseeing and entertainment spots throughout Mapo using a small bus with fewer than 25 seats. Since the course operates in a continuous loop, passengers can freely board and alight at their desired locations.

The tour bus design incorporates the shape of modern and contemporary locomotives that once served the Mapo terminal, along with Hongdae Red Road characters 'Kkaebi' and 'Kkaesun,' aiming to capture travelers' excitement and attract passengers' attention.

To ensure smooth project implementation, the district set the project direction based on survey results and held business briefings for village bus operators starting in September last year. They also established a roadmap and conducted feasibility analyses for the Mapo Circulation Train Bus project.

Following these preparations, on the 4th of this month, the Mapo District Facilities Management Corporation, which is responsible for operating the project, obtained a limited license for the city circulation tour bus, marking the official first step toward launching the Mapo Circulation Train Bus service next year.

Mapo-gu plans to differentiate this service from existing city tour buses that mainly operate on major roads in the city center by establishing a route linking famous alleyway attractions such as Hongdae Red Road, Gyeongui Line Forest Trail, Mangridan-gil, Dohwa Seagull Alley, and Mapo Yonggang Matkkaebi-gil, as well as major healing spots in Mapo like World Cup Park and Mangwon Hangang Park.

The district expects that once the Mapo Circulation Train Bus is introduced, tourists visiting Seoul will find it easier to access the northwest area of Seoul, including Mapo, Eunpyeong, and Seodaemun districts, and conveniently experience and enjoy Mapo’s diverse local culture, resulting in high user satisfaction.

After completing infrastructure development for the Mapo Circulation Train Bus, including bus procurement and installation of dedicated stops, the district plans to conduct a pilot operation to address any issues and officially launch the service in the first half of 2024.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, “By linking Mapo’s tourism resources with unlimited development potential through the Mapo Circulation Train Bus, we aim to achieve the dual goals of revitalizing local tourism and alleyway economy. We will diligently promote the Mapo Circulation Train Bus to become a representative tourism project of Mapo.”