First new Han River ferries gear up for duty in Seoul — in pictures

Two new public passenger ferries that are due to start trial operations next month arrived in Seoul on Thursday.

 
Hangang Bus 101 and Hangang Bus 102 departed on Monday from Sacheon, South Gyeongsang, and docked on the banks of the Han River in Seoul on Thursday morning after sailing up the Yellow Sea.

 
They are the first two of 12 boats that the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to operate as part of its regular ferry service on the river.

Weighing in at 150 tons, each of the ferries is capable of carrying up to 194 passengers and five crewmembers.

 
The ferry route includes stops at seven piers: Magok, Mangwon and Yeouido in western Seoul; Jamwon and Oksu in central Seoul; and Ttukseom and Jamsil in eastern Seoul. 
 
Construction of the pier at Oksu is expected to end in mid-March, while the other six have already been completed.
 
The Seoul Metropolitan Government also plans to increase the number of public bicycle or Ttareungi parking stands at the piers to increase their accessibility.
 
The two boats that arrived in Seoul on Thursday will undergo test operations in early March, according to city officials. The ferries are expected to fully up and running by June.
 
The fare for a single trip on the ferry has been set at a flat rate of 3,000 won ($2.1), approximately 1,600 won higher than the cost of a standard trip on the subway. The city government plans to allow passengers to pay their ferry fare using Climate Cards or T-money transportation cards.

 
A total of 68 sailings are initially scheduled between Magok and Jamsil on weekdays, with trips separated by 15-minute intervals during rush hours. However, only 48 sailings are scheduled daily for weekends and public holidays to account for lower commuter demand.

 
City officials said the frequency of sailings could increase as more boats enter service and if the ferries prove popular enough.

 
The Seoul Metropolitan Government initiated the public ferry project last year, arguing that a mode of transport that utilizes the capital’s main waterway could relieve avoid traffic congestion and overcrowding in buses and the subway.

 
The project was delayed last August due to safety concerns, which led the city government to undertake additional quality assurance tests before proceeding.

Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-02-27/national/socialAffairs/First-new-Han-River-ferries-gear-up-for-duty-in-Seoul--in-pictures/2251725

Comprehension

What are the names of the two new ferries that arrived in Seoul?
How many ferries does the Seoul Metropolitan Government plan to operate in total?
How many passengers can each ferry carry?
What is the fare for a single ferry trip?
How many stops are included in the ferry route?
When are the ferries expected to be fully operational?
Why was the ferry project delayed last August?
How does the city government plan to make the piers more accessible?

Discussion

Do you think ferries are a good alternative to buses and subways? Why or why not?
How can water transportation help reduce traffic congestion in big cities?
What are some possible challenges of using ferries as a public transportation option?
Would you prefer to take a ferry or a subway in your daily commute? Why?
How important is safety when introducing new public transportation options?
What are some ways to make ferries more appealing to commuters?
Do you think more cities should use rivers for transportation? Why or why not?
How can governments balance cost and convenience in public transportation services?
What are some other eco-friendly transportation methods that cities could consider?
How do you think transportation will change in the future?

Vocabulary

Trial Operations – A testing phase before something becomes fully operational.
Docked – Arrived and secured at a port or pier.
Crewmembers – People who work on a boat, ship, or aircraft.
Accessibility – The ease of reaching or using a place or service.
Intervals – Spaces or periods of time between events.
Congestion – Overcrowding or excessive traffic in an area.
Quality Assurance – Measures taken to ensure a product or service meets standards.
Overcrowding – A situation where there are too many people in one place.
Piers – Structures built over water where boats dock.
Climate Cards – A type of payment card used for transportation, linked to environmental initiatives.