Groundbreaking Ceremony for 'Riververse' with SH·eCruise in Tongyeong
Eco-friendly Ships Made of Aluminum Resistant to External Impact and Fire
Construction Begins on 7 Piers... New and Adjusted Bus Routes
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has officially begun construction of the vessels for the newly introduced water public transportation system on the Han River, called 'Hangang River Bus.' The related projects, including vessel construction and pier works, are expected to be completed around September, with a public unveiling scheduled for October.
On the 14th, Seoul announced that it held the 'Hangang River Bus Groundbreaking Ceremony' on the 11th at the shipyard in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, where the vessels are being built, together with SH, the operator of 'Hangang River Bus,' and eCruise.
'Hangang River Bus' is an eco-friendly water public transportation service that connects a total of seven piers: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Jamwon, Oksu, Ttukseom, and Jamsil. It operates at 15-minute intervals during rush hours, running 68 trips per weekday, with a capacity of 199 passengers per trip. The fare is 3,000 KRW, and unlimited rides are available with the 68,000 KRW Climate Companion Card, which includes access to the Hangang River Bus.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Joo Yong-tae, Head of the Seoul Future Han River Headquarters, along with officials from SH, eCruise, and the shipbuilding team. They marked the start of construction with the cutting of steel and urged on-site workers to ensure safe operations and adhere to the schedule.
The 'Hangang River Bus' vessels will be 35 meters long, 9.5 meters wide, and weigh 150 tons. The exterior will be made from aluminum, which is lighter than the commonly used FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic), more resistant to external impacts and fire, and reduces fuel consumption by about 35%. Additionally, the vessels will be eco-friendly, equipped with an electric-diesel hybrid system that emits approximately 48% less carbon dioxide compared to diesel engines.
Seoul plans to begin construction of the seven piers for the 'Hangang River Bus' within this month. After completing the design phase, the city will proceed with construction orders and simultaneously work on improving connectivity with surrounding public transportation by establishing and adjusting bus routes, as well as upgrading nearby pedestrian paths and bicycle lanes.
All projects related to the 'Hangang River Bus' vessels, piers, integration with surrounding public transportation, and accessibility improvements will be completed by September. After a trial operation, the service will be introduced to citizens in October. Head Joo stated, "With the simultaneous start of construction on eight new 'Hangang River Bus' vessels, we have taken a strong first step toward a new era of public transportation. We will do our best to ensure that not only the vessels but also the piers and accessibility improvement projects are prepared without delay so that citizens can use the 'Hangang River Bus' starting in October."
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