Han River buses and water transportation around the world

seoul's new water public transportation, the Han River Bus, officially opened on September 18, 2025. On its first day, 4,361 citizens rode it, with an 80.3% seat occupancy rate and an 81% satisfaction rate during the trial period. However, since its first week of operation, the bus has encountered a number of problems, including broken toilets, vessel breakdowns, and service disruptions due to bad weather, raising concerns about its future sustainability. There is much to learn from international success stories, especially if Seoul is to avoid following in the footsteps of the failed Seoul Water Taxi of the past 17 years.

the current state and challenges of the Han River Bus

the Han River Bus is a water bus service that covers a 28.9-kilometer stretch from Magok to Jamsil, connecting seven marinas along the way. it is priced at 3,000 won for adults, the same as a regular bus, and unlimited rides are available for 67,000 won per month with the Gifu Companion Card. it currently operates 14 times a day (7 round trips), and will increase to 30 weekdays and 48 weekends from October 10th.

however, the initial operation has revealed a number of problems: the initially planned 15-minute rush hour service has been reduced to every 1-1.5 hours, and the duration of a typical trip has increased from the promised 75 minutes to 127 minutes. the service is expected to be suspended when visibility is less than one kilometer or when the discharge of the Paldang Dam exceeds 3,000 tons per second, resulting in approximately 20 days per year when the service is unavailable.

financially, there is also great concern. its budget has increased 222% from an initial budget of 542 billion won to the current 1.75 trillion won, and out of the 200 billion won in annual operating costs, only 50 billion won in fare revenue is expected, resulting in a deficit of 150 billion won annually. with 80% of its operating revenue coming from terminal commercial facilities (cafes, restaurants, and convenience stores), the company has adopted a revenue model that is more akin to a tourism product than pure transportation.

lessons from past Seoul Water Taxi failures

the Seoul Water Taxi, which operated for 17 years from 2007 to 2024, ended in disastrous failure: only 113 actual riders (2011) against a projected 19,500 daily riders, and by 2023, only 26annual commuters.

the reasons for the failure were clear. the geography of the high Han River site required a 15-minute walk from the subway station and a 45-degree steep staircase climb. There were also operational challenges, including a commuter fare plan that could only be booked by groups of five or more, unofficial winter shutdowns, and the operation of a company implicated in the Sewol ferry tragedy. most importantly, it was set up as a short-distance route connecting Gangnam North, making it uncompetitive with existing public transportation.

the Han River Bus improved these issues by changing to an east-west trunk route, operating free shuttle buses, and adjusting seven bus routes to increase accessibility. However, the Han River's geographic constraints and weather dependence remain fundamental challenges that have not been resolved.

london's Thames River success model

london's Thames Clippers is a successful waterbus service with 9.6 million trips per year. it was launched in 2020 and is operated by a private company in partnership with Uber, but has adopted a public-private partnership model, with Transport for London (TfL) managing the dock infrastructure and waiving dock fees.

success factors include full Oyster Card integration, frequent service every 10-20 minutes, and faster speeds than on the road during rush hour. The company has maximized synergies with existing public transportation, especially by offering discounts to Travelcard holders. It is also addressing environmental concerns with the introduction of three hybrid vessels.

contrasting approaches in Paris and New York

the Paris Batomouche is a water bus that connects nine stops on the Seine, with more than 90% of its passengers being tourists. its high fare of 23 euros for a one-day pass and limited integration with Parisian public transportation make it more of a tourist product than an everyday mode of transportation. It operates year-round, but its hours are reduced during the winter months, and it only offers a small discount to Navigo Pass holders.

new York's Staten Island Ferry, on the other hand, is a completely different model. it's the largest passenger-only ferry in the world, operating completely free of chargesince 1997 and carrying 16.7 million passengers a year. it's the only public transportation link between Staten Island and Manhattan, running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a 94% on-time performance rate. it is a public service model, fully funded by the City of New York, which makes its role as an essential mode of transportation clear.

innovation in Sydney, Venice, and Stockholm

sydney Ferries has achieved 12% cost savings by transitioning to privately contracted operations since 2012. It carries 15.3 million passengers annually and is fully integrated with the Opal Card, which offers a $2 discount for transfers within 60 minutes. the performance-based contract sets a 95% reliability target and operates a tight management system with financial penalties for failure to meet it.

venice Vaporetto has adopted a dualized strategy, controlling tourist demand with a high single fare of 9.5 euros, while offering a lower fare of 1.3 euros to residents. it is characterized by its resilience in maintaining service by adjusting its routes in the event of an aqua alta (flooding in contrast).

in 2019, Stockholm introduced hybrid-electric ferries with icebreaking capabilities to ensure year-round operation, even in harsh winter weather. it can operate through ice as thick as 25 centimeters, and carries 4.3 million passengers a year. it is a taxpayer-funded public service model operated by Stockholm County, which is continually introducing greener vessels to reach its 2040 fossil fuel-free goal.

the way forward for the Han River Bus

international examples show that the keys to successful water transportation are integration, reliability, and a clear identity. it needs to be seamlessly integrated with existing transportation systems like London, provide reliable service around the clock like New York, and drive efficiency with performance-based operations like Sydney.

to improve access to the marinas, Han River Bus currently operates free shuttle buses between Magok, Jamsil, and Apgujeong stations, and has installed 30 dock racks at each marina. Yeouinaru Station is the most accessible at a four-minute walk, and Oksu and Ttukseom stations are also directly connected to the subway for added convenience.

however, fundamental challenges remain. first, the promise of 15 minute intervals during rush hour must be met. Second, alternatives are needed to maintain minimal service during inclement weather. third, there is an urgent need to improve the revenue model to reduce the 150 billion won annual deficit.

toward sustainable water transportation

if the Han River Bus is not to repeat the failure of the water taxi, the identity of tourism and transportation must be clarified. it should take a cue from London's public-private partnership model to improve operational efficiency, and overcome weather constraints with technological innovation like Stockholm. above all, it must become a reliable public transportation systemthat citizens can rely on every day.

with KRW 1.75 trillion invested, the Han River Bus is just getting started, and the trials and tribulations of its first week are an opportunity for improvement. as success stories abroad have shown, water transportation can be a new artery for cities. whether the Han River Bus will lead Seoul's transportation revolution or end up as another expensive experiment will depend on further operational improvements.