Seoul says launch of 'Hangang Bus' ferry postponed to next March over ‘safety’ concerns

The official launch of Seoul’s water bus has been postponed from October to March next year due to safety concerns.

A rendered image provided by the city government on Tuesday shows Seoul's new water transportation, the Hangang Bus, which is set to roam along the Han River starting in March next year. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The official launch of Seoul’s water bus has been postponed from October to March next year due to safety concerns.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Tuesday announced that it would begin transporting commuters along the Han River starting in March next year, after ensuring safety and quality. It also unveiled the official name of the anticipated water transportation service, the Hangang Bus, which was selected from submissions by the public.

The city government stressed the need for sufficient time to conduct pilot runs of the ferries, considering the multiple conditions on the Han River that affect boat navigation, including the bridges along the river, strong gusts in the winter and the tidal circulation.

The water buses must pass under 17 bridges on the Han River, where the space between the bridge pillars is narrow, the city government said. The space between the columns of the Jamsu Bridge and Hannam Bridge is only about 30 meters (98 feet).

A rendered image provided by the city government on Tuesday shows a two-story pier set to be constructed in Jamwon and Jamsil in southern Seoul and Ttukseom in eastern Seoul. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The city government also blamed the delay on the lagged approval of major boat parts, such as the newly adopted battery modules for the hybrid engines — a combination of electric and diesel engines. According to the city government, these hybrid engines, considered “sustainable” under the law, emit 48 percent less carbon dioxide than diesel engines.

Construction of the seven piers has also been postponed due to additional work, such as installing elevators.

The 150-ton Hangang Bus, capable of carrying 199 passengers, will stop at seven piers: Magok, Mangwon and Yeouido in western Seoul; Jamwon and Jamsil in southern Seoul; and Oksu and Ttukseom in eastern Seoul.

The buses are scheduled to travel between Magok and Jamsil 68 times daily on weekdays, with 15-minute intervals during rush hours. On weekends and public holidays, the boats will operate 48 times daily.

All eight boats will be built this year, starting with two in October. Four piers — Magok, Yeouido, Oksu and Jamsil — will be constructed in October, with those in Magwon, Jamwon and Ttukseom completed by November.

The route of the Hangang Bus [NAM JUNG-HYUN]

Joo Yong-tae, head of the city government’s Future Hangang Project Headquarters, said that a new bus route would be added or adjusted to ensure that the piers in Magok, Jamwon, Jamsil and Mangwon can be accessed from bus stops within five minutes. The piers in Yeouido, Oksu and Ttukseom are already close to subway stations.

The postponement of the rollout followed consultations with experts and a visit to the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which operates the NYC Ferry on the Hudson River. The city government acknowledged the need for enough time for tests to ensure drivers are familiar with the waterway and can respond to emergencies.

Preparations for the official launch will be conducted in five stages starting in October, with test runs in February as the final step. During the monthlong pilot run, the city government will collect feedback from the commuters.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]