A total of 23,443 passengers used the Han River Bus during the five-day Children's Day holiday, as increased spring outdoor activities and various festivals across Seoul boosted demand for the river transit service.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Tuesday, the daily average ridership from May 1 to 5 reached approximately 4,689 passengers, up about 84% from April's daily average of 2,550.
On May 1, a record 5,584 passengers boarded, marking the highest single-day ridership since the service began. Ridership also remained strong on May 2 with 5,237 passengers and on May 5 with 5,423 passengers. The city attributed the surge to spring demand for Han River outings translating into Han River Bus usage.
Ridership on the Han River Bus has been steadily increasing since full-route operations resumed in March. The service recorded 62,491 passengers in March and 76,488 in April. With approximately 23,000 additional riders during the recent holiday period, cumulative ridership since the resumption of full-route operations in March has surpassed 162,422. Cumulative ridership since the official launch in September last year stands at 267,357.
The city plans to continue improving passenger convenience facilities. A scenic rest area has been added around the Mangwon and Ttukseom piers. Within this month, six piers close to the Han River — Yeouido, Ttukseom, Jamsil, Apgujeong, Oksu, and Magok — will be designated as "waterfront hub zones," where River View Gardens, outdoor rest areas, and bar tables will be installed.
Along the connecting section (Ttukseom Pier to Seoul Forest) linked to the Seoul International Garden Show currently being held at Seoul Forest, a flower garden and River View Garden have already been completed.
"We will continue to enhance convenience and service quality so that citizens can use the Han River Bus more conveniently and safely," said Park Jin-young, head of the Future Han River Headquarters at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
