Three-Month Citizen Trial Operations
Official Launch in September After Safety Verification
The "Hangang Bus," a waterborne public transportation service, will conduct trial operations for three months starting in June, ahead of its official launch scheduled for September.
On May 16, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it would hold "citizen trial operations" for the Hangang Bus from June to August to improve service quality and verify safety. The official launch, originally planned for June, was postponed to September, and the trial operation was introduced first due to delays in the construction and delivery schedule of the vessels. The city stated that the additional time would be used to enhance the overall quality of the service.
During this trial operation, a variety of passengers?including citizens, those with transportation challenges, and international tourists?will be able to board the Hangang Bus and directly evaluate its operational effectiveness, safety, and service quality.
The first citizen trial group in June will consist of experts in ship and transportation engineering, marine leisure industry professionals, and public officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and its affiliated organizations. This group will focus on evaluating the overall service quality, including operational stability and boarding and disembarking environments.
In July and August, trial operations will be conducted during commuting hours. The effectiveness of the Hangang Bus as a public transportation option will be tested with employees of companies located near the busiest piers, where the highest usage is expected.
Additionally, trial operations will be offered on weekends for citizens and international tourists who wish to enjoy the Hangang River.
The delivery of vessels, which has been delayed compared to the initial schedule, will proceed sequentially. Two hybrid vessels currently undergoing test runs will be used for the trial operations. Subsequently, four vessels will be introduced in June, two in July, two in September, and two in November, bringing the total to twelve vessels entering service in stages.
Meanwhile, to fulfill the role of waterborne public transportation?such as operating express routes and maintaining punctuality?the Seoul Metropolitan Government will continue to operate the Hangang Bus at 15-minute intervals during commuting hours. However, reflecting actual usage patterns, the morning service hours will be adjusted from the original 6:30 a.m.?9:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.?9:00 a.m., and the evening service hours will be changed from 6:00 p.m.?8:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.?7:30 p.m.
In addition, work is underway to improve safety facilities and accessibility at the piers. A new bus route will be established to enhance access to the piers, and the transfer system with other public transportation will also be improved. Facilities to ensure the safe operation of the Hangang Bus are being installed, and joint inspections and drills involving both public and private sectors are being conducted.
Park Jinyoung, head of the Future Hangang Headquarters at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "The preliminary infrastructure for the official operation of the Hangang Bus is nearing completion. Trial operations involving not only experts but also citizens and tourists will help establish a new identity and build trust for the Hangang Bus. We expect this user-centered verification process to serve as a significant turning point before the official launch in September."
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