Seoul's commuter ferries mark one year, 600,000 passengers

When the Hangang Bus launched last September, skeptics questioned whether a fleet of ferries could transform into a legitimate leg of public transit in a city already serviced by one of the world's most extensive subway networks. One year in, municipal officials say the bold experiment is proving its worth on the water. More than 600,000 passengers have boarded the Hangang Bus since its inaugural voyage on Sept. 18, 2025, according to data released Thursday by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The service hit its stride this spring following an initial period of operational tweaks and safety overhauls. Since full-route operations resumed on March 1, nearly 500,000 riders have used the ferries. Passenger numbers peaked in August, when over 89,000 people opted for a riverfront commute over packed train cars and congested highway bridges. Crucially for a commuter network, reliability has stabilized. On-time performance reached 99.3 percent in July, up from 97.7 percent in March, as vessel crews and terminal staff gained operational experience along the urban waterway, according to the city