[The Editors' Verdict] The Controversy Surrounding the Hangang Bus

During last summer vacation, this reporter visited Sydney and took the Sydney Ferry to travel from the Opera House to North Sydney, crossing the Harbour Bridge. Having previously experienced the CityCat water bus in Brisbane, I chose a water transportation option that allowed me to enjoy the cityscape during the journey, even if it took a bit longer than the bus or metro. Watching how Sydney Ferries and CityCat were widely used for both commuting and tourism, I looked forward to the day when we would have something similar.

However, contrary to these expectations, Seoul's first water-based public transportation, the Hangang Bus, which officially began operations on September 18, has been mired in controversy over high costs and low efficiency. Despite being labeled as a public transportation option, it takes 127 minutes for a regular service and 82 minutes for an express service to travel the 28.9-kilometer route from Magok to Jamsil, one way. Moreover, the project has required a budget and operating expenses in the billions of won. In Seoul, South Korea, where the pace of life is so fast that anything not done "quickly" is left behind, people are unlikely to welcome a slow public transportation project funded by taxpayer money.

Profitability is also uncertain at this stage. The fare for a single ride on the Hangang Bus is 3,000 won for adults when paid with a transportation card, and free transfers to the subway and city buses are available. If it fails to attract commuters or cannot offset costs through ancillary businesses such as cafes and convenience stores at the docks, operating losses will be inevitable.

Nevertheless, the Hangang Bus deserves more praise and encouragement than criticism. Not all public transportation should be judged solely by speed. Those who value speed can choose the subway or bus, even if it requires multiple transfers, while those who prefer a more leisurely journey along the Han River can opt for the Hangang Bus.

In particular, in Seoul, where severe road congestion is common during rush hour, the punctuality of the Hangang Bus is a significant advantage that could attract commuters. By expanding the range of available public transportation options and providing an alternative to alleviate urban traffic congestion, the launch of the Hangang Bus is a welcome development. With a record 8.83 million foreign tourists visiting Korea in the first half of this year, the Hangang Bus, which travels along Seoul's iconic Han River, could also become an attractive tourism resource.

Every new initiative inevitably faces trial and error. The problems that have arisen in the early stages of operation can be improved and addressed. Even Wuhan, China, now considered the world's largest autonomous driving city, faced numerous setbacks before successfully commercializing its new transportation mode, the robotaxi (driverless autonomous taxi).

When robotaxis were first introduced to Wuhan's roads in 2022, they drove extremely slowly and stopped frequently to avoid accidents, leading people to nickname them "foolish robots." Sensor malfunctions due to weather were also common, constantly raising safety concerns. There were also serious conflicts with existing taxi drivers. However, after these issues were addressed, more than 400 robotaxis now operate on Wuhan's roads, and autonomous driving cities are expanding across China as a result.

Similarly, while the Hangang Bus is currently embroiled in debates over high costs and low efficiency, it is too early to declare it a failure or a success. It is hoped that continued improvements and social consensus will allow the Hangang Bus to become a new fixture in Seoul's landscape, rather than a failed experiment.