Seoul City to Operate 'Free Shuttle Bus' from Hangang Bus Dock to Subway Station

[Financial News] The connection between the 'Hangang Bus' crossing Magok and Jamsil and nearby subway stations will be strengthened. To assist movement from the dock located by the Hangang River to nearby stations, Seoul City plans to operate a 'free shuttle bus'. In addition to the city and village buses that have already started operating, a bicycle 'Ttareungi Rental Station' is also planned to be established.
Seoul City announced on the 4th that it will start operating a 'free shuttle bus' connecting major subway stations and docks in September, ahead of the official launch of the 'Hangang Bus'.
During the trial operation period of the 'free shuttle bus' in August, shuttle buses will be deployed to circulate from nearby subway stations to stops close to the dock. The interval between buses is 15-30 minutes, with transfer discount benefits (on weekdays) provided.
Currently, the shuttle bus is being trialed to match the days and times of the Hangang Bus citizen experience operation (commuting experience group, leisure tourism experience group, and return home experience group). Starting from the 12th, shuttle buses for the leisure tourism experience group and return home experience group using the 'Jamsil Dock' and buses for the commuting experience group departing from the 'Magok Dock' will begin operation.
When the Hangang Bus officially operates, it will run during weekday commuting hours from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM and from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
The two shuttle buses going to and from the 'Magok Dock' will start at the Gayang Interchange near the dock, circulate between Yangcheon Hyanggyo Station on Line 9 and Balsan Station on Line 5, and operate on a direct route at 15-minute intervals during official operation.
The 'Jamsil Dock' will start at Jamsil Saenae Interchange (5-minute walk) and pass through Jamsil Saenae Station on Line 2 and Sports Complex Station on Lines 2 and 9, circulating around the Jamsil Els Apartment complex. The interval between buses is 15 minutes.
From September, when the Hangang Bus officially operates, the 'Apgujeong Dock' shuttle bus will also be in operation. It will shuttle between Apgujeong Station on Line 3 from Sinsa Interchange (5-minute walk), and once officially operating, the bus will run at 30-minute intervals.
Seoul City has already established and changed the routes of city and village buses connecting docks near Magok, Apgujeong, and Jamsil from the 1st. While adjusting and operating bus routes connecting the eight Hangang Bus docks, which are somewhat inconvenient to access by public transportation, a 'Ttareungi Rental Station' within a 3-minute walk from the dock is also planned to be established.
The city stated, "We expect it to greatly help citizens and tourists access and use the Hangang Bus conveniently, along with existing connecting buses."
The infrastructure of the 'dock' where the Hangang Bus boards and alights will also be expanded. Convenience stores, coffee, chicken, ramen, and other shops have opened at seven docks, providing spaces for citizens and tourists to enjoy food and leisure.
Park Jin-young, head of Seoul City's Future Hangang Headquarters, said, "With the expansion of city and village bus connections and the establishment of Ttareungi rental stations, the free shuttle bus will also be prepared, making access to the Hangang Bus dock more convenient," and added, "We will do our best to provide stable operation services so that the Hangang Bus can become a new public transportation icon representing Seoul."

chlee1@fnnews.com Lee Chang-hoon Reporter