The Hangang Bus (Han River Bus) began operation on Sept. 18, 2025, running along a 28km route between Magok and Jamsil, with seven piers in total—Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Oksu, Apgujeong, Ttukseom, and Jamsil. The vessels operate using environmentally friendly electric and hybrid systems, and their seating capacity ranges from 155 to 199 depending on the type of vessel. At the launch ceremony, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated confidently, “I can say without hesitation that, in terms of improving the quality of life for Seoul citizens, the history of the Han River will be clearly divided into two eras before and after the Hangang Bus.”

  However, the new service soon faced technical challenges. The service suspended passenger boarding on Sept. 29—just 11 days after its launch on Sept. 18—and switched to unmanned trial operations for about a month. The main issue was safety concerns arising from frequent mechanical failures. Regarding this, Mayor Oh explained, “It is true that citizens became anxious due to several mechanical and electrical defects that occurred during the ten days of operation. We decided that it would be better to suspend operations temporarily and stabilize the system fully.” After about a month of suspension, the Hangang Bus resumed service on Nov. 1. Following this, a CBT reporter personally rode the 21.5km route from Oksu Pier to Magok Pier.

  On Nov. 8 at 3:10 p.m., upon exiting through Exit 3 of Oksu Station on Subway Line 3, the first thing that catches the CBT reporter’s eye is the sign directing visitors to Oksu Pier. Clearly visible, this sign ensures that even first-time visitors can easily find their way to the pier. After about a five-minute walk, one reaches Oksu Pier, located along the Han River. The pier is cozy set against the river’s backdrop, but aside from a convenience store, there are few amenities and limited seating. If many passengers arrive at once, the narrow waiting area could easily become crowded, possibly causing delays in Hangang Bus operations.

  The Hangang Bus operates at 90-minute intervals, so missing a departure can mean a considerable wait for the next. Passengers are encouraged to check real-time seat availability in advance using mobile apps such as Kakaomap or NAVER Map. The difficulties encountered during on-site ticketing and boarding have highlighted the need for further system improvements.

  Currently, online reservations are not available for the Hangang Bus. Upon arrival at the pier, passengers receive a numbered ticket under the guidance of staff. Similar to a queue number at a bank, this ticket serves as an entry pass for boarding in order once the vessel arrives. For boarding, passengers either tap their T-money transportation card on the reader or purchase a ticket at the on-site kiosk. However, when the Hangang Bus arrived at Oksu Pier, the staff allowed passengers to board without checking the numbered tickets. This raised questions about the necessity of the numbered ticket issued at the beginning.

  The 3:36 p.m. Hangang Bus bound for Magok Pier arrived at Oksu Pier. About thirty passengers lined up in order and boarded the Hangang Bus following the staff’s instructions. The interior of the Hangang Bus is divided into three sections: window seats on both sides and a central seating area. The restroom was clean, and the ventilation inside was pleasant, with staff members in purple uniforms were easily identifiable.

  However, the legroom between seats was narrow, and no staff member was stationed at the food court in the center, perhaps due to the service still being in its early stage. Two electronic kiosks on nearby pillars displayed safety instruction videos, but the audio was hard to hear because of background noise. Since staff did not provide any additional guidance, some of the safety management concerns noted during the early operations appeared to remain unresolved.

  At 3:40 p.m., the Hangang Bus departed from Oksu Pier and quickly moved forward, cutting through the water. Although the sky outside was cloudy, the view of Seoul from inside the Hangang Bus felt noticeably different from the usual cityscape. The distance to the next stop, Apgujeong Pier, was short, so passengers arrived in no time. Apgujeong Pier appeared larger and busier than Oksu Pier. As many passengers crowded in, congestion formed within the pier area, delaying the departure for Yeouido Pier by about 10 minutes to 3:59 p.m.. However, no announcement was made to inform passengers of this delay.

  The 9km stretch from Apgujeong Pier to Yeouido Pier is the longest section of the Hangang Bus route. While heading toward Yeouido Pier, the staff announced that passengers who had filled out the boarding declaration were permitted to go out onto the external deck. Stepping outside after the stuffy interior, the scenery of the Han River unfolded vividly before the CBT reporter’s eyes. Looking out over the rows of buildings along the river, the CBT reporter was able to appreciate yet another side of Seoul. However, the external deck was narrow, accommodating only around twenty people. Only a small number of passengers were able to enjoy the outdoor view, while most still had to look out at the river through the large windows inside. In addition, staff members were seen guiding passengers outside without properly checking whether they had completed the boarding declaration, which could pose potential safety risks. 

  After departing from Yeouido Pier and passing Mangwon Pier, the Hangang Bus arrived at Magok Pier at 5:17 p.m., about 10 minutes later than scheduled. The trip from Oksu Pier to Magok Pier took 1 hour and 37 minutes. The Hangang Bus passenger Kang Min-seong (Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do) said, “I came to ride the Hangang Bus since service resumed for the weekend. However, after trying it, the long intervals between departures and the slower speed compared to the subway make it seem unsuitable for commuting.”

  After getting off at Magok Pier, passengers walked for about four minutes through underpass beneath the main road to reach the bus stop for transfers to the subway or buses. There was a sign at the bus stop providing information about a shuttle bus to the subway station, which operates on weekdays at 15-minute intervals, running 28 times a day. However, the shuttle does not operate on weekends, so passengers traveling from Magok Pier to the subway station on weekends may need to either take a bus or walk approximately 15 minutes.

  Although the Hangang Bus was launched as a public transportation service, firsthand experience suggests that it currently functions more as a sightseeing boat than as a regular transit option. The long 90-minute intervals between departures, frequent delays, inconvenience in checking available seats, and limited connectivity and accessibility with other public transportation offered little advantage as a commuter service.