Seoul Considers Higher Weekend Fares for Han River Ferries

Seoul City is exploring a differentiated fare system for its Han River ferries, which would charge higher prices for weekend and holiday travel compared to weekdays. This potential shift signals a move to reorient the ferry service, initially conceived as a commuter transport option, towards a model that better reflects its current usage as a recreational and tourist activity.

City officials reported that the necessity of adjusting fares has been presented to the mayor, who is considering the proposal. The internal review suggests maintaining current fares during weekdays and regular hours while increasing them slightly for weekend and holiday travel. This approach aims to capture the demand from tourists and leisure-seekers who are concentrated during these peak times, effectively treating these services more like a tourism product than standard public transit.

The impetus for this fare revision stems from increasing passenger numbers and a clear concentration of ridership during weekends and holidays. Monthly ridership has grown significantly, surpassing 91,000 in May. The city observes that usage peaks during weekends, holidays, and in the afternoon/evening hours. To accommodate this demand, Seoul is also increasing the frequency of night sailings and daytime services on popular routes.

While the exact fare increase and implementation date are yet to be finalized, the process involves public hearings, consultation with the Seoul City Council, and review by the Price Stabilization Committee, as Han River ferries are classified as public transportation. The city estimates that if the procedural steps are completed in the latter half of the year, the new fare system could be implemented by early to spring 2025. This adjustment comes as the ferry service's original plan for express routes connecting Magok, Yeouido, and Jamsil has been delayed, and a recent audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection pointed out difficulties in meeting the specified speed and travel time targets for express services.

“

The necessity of changing fares has been reported to the mayor from a policy perspective, and a decision has been received. Internally, we have reviewed a direction where we charge a little more than the current 3,000 won on weekends or holidays, and maintain the current fare during weekday daytime or regular hours.