The city of Seoul announced on the 21st that it plans to operate subway lines 1 to 8 with the first trains scheduled to run from 5 a.m. starting in August. This is 30 minutes earlier than the current first train operation time of 5:30 a.m.
This adjustment in operating hours is a measure for early morning workers, such as environmental workers and security personnel, who commute during the early hours. Consequently, it is expected that the choices of transportation for these morning commuters will also expand.
A Seoul city official noted, "The first city bus departs around 4 a.m., so until now, people had to use only buses to travel during the early morning hours," and added, "With the advancement of the first subway train, transfers between buses and subways will become smoother."
Additionally, the city of Seoul will continue to expand the operating areas of the autonomous buses, which have been in operation on select routes since last November.
Earlier, the city of Seoul has been operating the 'Morning Companion Autonomous Bus (A160)' since last November. This bus departs at 3:30 a.m. from Dobongsan Metropolitan Transfer Center and operates a 25.7 km route to Yeongdeungpo Station. As of now, the number of users has exceeded 10,000 in just six months.
In the second half of this year, there are plans to increase the operating areas of autonomous buses to a total of 10. The city also plans to deploy autonomous buses during times when it's challenging to secure drivers, such as late at night and early in the morning.
Yeojangkwon, the head of Seoul's Transportation Office, said, "We will continue to examine the lives of citizens to ensure that public transportation truly becomes the feet of the citizens."